When Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul finally meet in the ring in Miami, the stakes will be about far more than just pride and legacy. Both men are poised to walk away from the bout significantly wealthier, thanks to a reported purse that has sent shockwaves through the sporting world.
The Staggering Numbers Behind the Fight
Following the shock announcement of the bout in November, initial reports suggested a prize pot of around £140 million to be split between the two fighters. However, Jake Paul himself appeared to confirm that the real figure is substantially higher. Last month, the American took to social media to seemingly reveal the true sum, tweeting: 'Stop asking me. $267 Million.'
That colossal amount works out to approximately £206 million at current exchange rates, meaning each man could pocket just over a cool £100 million for one night's work. This astronomical figure underscores the massive commercial draw of this crossover event, which blends the traditional heavyweight elite with the new era of social media-driven boxing.
How This Payout Compares to Past Fights
For Jake Paul, this purse dwarfs his previous career-high payday. He reportedly took home around £30 million for his controversial clash with the legendary Mike Tyson, a fight that captured global attention despite Tyson being far past his physical prime.
For Anthony Joshua, a two-time unified world champion, the numbers are more nuanced. While the Paul fight purse is undeniably huge, Joshua has cast some doubt on it being his largest ever. He told TMZ: 'Unfortunately, it's not [the biggest purse of my career].' His biggest single payday remains the £56 million he earned for his 2022 rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia. More recently, he banked a reported £38 million for his devastating second-round knockout of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
The Context and Criticism of the Bout
The fight, taking place on Friday, 19 December in Miami, Florida (with a UK start time in the early hours of Saturday morning), represents a major gamble for both men's reputations. Joshua, 15 months on from his defeat to Daniel Dubois, has grand plans for 2026 including a third world title and a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury. Some critics have accused him of damaging his legacy by facing a man who was on the Disney Channel while he was winning his first world titles.
Jake Paul, meanwhile, has been warned he is 'risking life and limb' by stepping into the ring with a former Olympic gold medallist and destructive puncher still in his prime. Yet, the 'Problem Child' has successfully lured another iconic name into his orbit, proving his unparalleled marketability. The fight will be streamed exclusively on Netflix, available to all subscribers, marking another landmark moment for the sport's broadcasting landscape.
Ultimately, while the sporting purists may debate the merits of the contest, the financial incentive for both Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is glaringly obvious. The dotted line was signed for a reason, and that reason is a shared purse approaching a quarter of a billion pounds.
