Anthony Joshua’s $140 Million Payday Shrinks to $74 Million After Massive $66 Million Tax Bill

Anthony Joshua is set to pay a staggering $66 million in taxes on the earnings from his high-profile exhibition fight against Jake Paul, drastically reducing his total purse. The British heavyweight reportedly earned $92 million for the contest, but combined U.S. and U.K. tax obligations will leave him with approximately $74 million of his full $140 million fight purse.

The bout, which took place on Friday night at Miami’s Kaseya Center and was livestreamed globally on Netflix, saw Joshua dominate. He knocked Paul down in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds before securing a decisive KO at 1:31 of the sixth round with a right hand that broke the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s jaw in two places, ending Paul’s undefeated streak.

The Breakdown of a Massive Tax Bill
Because the fight was held in the United States, Joshua faces an estimated $52 million in U.S. federal income tax. He will also owe approximately $11.3 million to the U.K.’s tax authority (HMRC) and a further $2.8 million in National Insurance contributions. While Florida has no state income tax, it offers little relief from the overall burden. In contrast, American opponent Jake Paul is subject only to U.S. taxes, allowing him to retain a larger share of his own $92 million purse.

Post-Fight Suspensions and Future Plans
Following the knockout, the Florida State Athletic Commission issued a mandatory 45-day medical suspension for Jake Paul due to his injuries; his jaw is expected to take four to six weeks to heal fully. Joshua received a standard seven-day suspension.

The victory improves Joshua’s professional record to 29 wins in 33 fights, marking a strong comeback after his loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. After the win, Joshua called out fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury, hinting at a potential blockbuster showdown in 2026. For his part, Jake Paul suggested a future challenge against super-middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez.