Anthony Joshua Could Earn £70 Million in Potential Showdown With Jake Paul
Anthony Joshua could pocket a staggering £70 million from a potential blockbuster showdown with internet sensation-turned-boxer Jake Paul, as advanced negotiations continue for a mega-fight likely to be staged in Miami next month.
Sources close to the talks say a total prize purse of around £140 million is on the table, with Joshua and Paul expected to split it evenly if the deal goes through. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, cautioned on Thursday that both sides are still ironing out details, but insiders suggest an official announcement could come as early as next week. The bout would be a full professional contest under Queensbury rules, not an exhibition.
A key driver behind the negotiations is Netflix, which has shown strong interest in broadcasting the fight. The streaming giant, currently producing a documentary on Joshua, previously aired Paul’s November 2024 clash with Mike Tyson, which drew over 60 million viewers.
The talks follow the cancellation of Paul’s previously scheduled fight with lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, reopening the possibility of a bout with Joshua after over a year of speculation.
“It is not done yet,” Hearn told Daily Mail Sport. “There has been a lot of gun jumping on this. I think Jake Paul would be mad to take the fight, but we are in talks. We were discussing a very low-key fight for AJ, but an opportunity has come up to make 50 times more money.”
Addressing criticism over the potential matchup, Hearn added, “Would it be great for Joshua’s legacy? No. But I’ll tell you what it is – two-time heavyweight world champion and an Olympic gold medal. This is an opportunity and fair play to Paul if he wants to get in that ring because AJ won’t be messing about.”
Paul currently holds a 12-1 record, mostly built against lesser-known opponents and ageing legends, with his only defeat coming to Tommy Fury. Tyson Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, also weighed in, saying, “People are going to criticise it, but I don’t see it that way. As long as these guys are both fit, which they are, then I don’t have a problem. It will get a huge audience – AJ doesn’t cause a lot of noise in the US, and Paul does. People like car crashes. It will do well.”
Beyond the financial incentives, Joshua is motivated to shake off ring rust following his extended hiatus. He resumed light training earlier this year, underwent minor elbow surgery in May, and ramped up conditioning again in October.
