The financial fallout from the latest blockbuster fight involving Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul has revealed a striking contrast between victory inside the ring and earnings outside of it.
While Joshua walked away with a decisive knockout win, the final numbers show that the British heavyweight will ultimately surrender millions of dollars more in taxes than his defeated opponent.
Both Joshua and Paul were set to split a reported purse of approximately $93 million each for the bout, which took place in Miami, Florida.
The location mattered, however, as Florida has no state income tax, a benefit that immediately favored both fighters. But that’s where the similarities largely ended once international tax obligations were factored in.
Under United States federal law, each fighter is expected to pay roughly 37 percent of their earnings to the government, equating to just over $34 million apiece.
For Joshua, that was only the beginning. As a resident of London, England, he must also pay taxes back home. More than $7 million of his purse will go to His Majesty’s Revenue, with an additional $2 million owed through National Insurance contributions.
In total, Joshua will part with close to $45 million in taxes. Even so, he will still clear nearly $50 million after deductions, along with the satisfaction of a dominant win.
Financially impressive by any normal standard, the figure nevertheless stings when compared to the outcome for Jake Paul, who exits the fight with a larger net payout despite spending minimal time in the ring.
Joshua hard done by after dominant win
The numbers underline the disparity. Jake Paul reportedly earned $92 million for the fight, which lasted a total of just 989 seconds for him. That equates to a little over 16 minutes of action.
The bout ended in the sixth round, with Joshua controlling the contest from the opening bell. He dictated distance, tempo, and pressure, systematically breaking Paul down and landing clean, powerful shots without hesitation.
By the later rounds, the physical toll was evident, particularly along Paul‘s jaw and further details emerged regarding the damage inflicted.
Paul revealed that Joshua fractured his jaw in two places, injuries severe enough to require immediate medical evaluation.
He acknowledged that he would need time away from the sport before even considering a return, admitting that this defeat was different from his previous setbacks, both physically and mentally.
Paul’s reputation intact
Entering the fight, Paul held a 12-2 record, with his only losses coming against Joshua and Tommy Fury.
It represents a respectable record for any professional fighter, let alone one who was an obscure YouTuber only years ago.
For Joshua, the fight reinforced his status as an elite professional capable of dismantling less-experienced challengers with clinical efficiency.
Yet the bout also served as a reminder of how taxation and residency can dramatically reshape the financial picture of even the biggest nights in boxing.
While Joshua claimed victory, it is Paul who walks away with the larger payday. With that in mind, many will question who is the real winner.
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