In a stunning display of the financial rewards of elite boxing, social media star turned pugilist Jake Paul has publicly revealed the enormous sum he earned from his knockout defeat to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua. The fight, which took place in Miami, ended with Paul suffering a broken jaw and a medical suspension, but also walking away with a life-changing purse.
The Fight and Its Aftermath
The highly anticipated clash between the YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former two-time world heavyweight champion occurred at Miami's Kaseya Center. While Anthony Joshua ultimately proved too powerful, securing a technical knockout victory at 1 minute and 31 seconds of the sixth round, the bout was more competitive than many expected. Jake Paul's bravery in the ring earned him praise, though the physical cost was severe.
Paul sustained a broken jaw during the fight, requiring immediate surgery in the aftermath. As a direct result of the injury, the Florida Athletic Commission issued an indefinite suspension against the 28-year-old American. He will be unable to compete in the state again until he receives full medical clearance, with a potential return to the ring not anticipated until the summer of next year.
A Lavish Display of Wealth
More than two days after his defeat, Jake Paul shifted the narrative from his physical injuries to his financial gains. Taking to social media, he posted images that spoke volumes about the modern boxing economy. The photos showed him aboard a private jet, surrounded by scattered US dollar bills, Hermes blankets, and a collection of firearms, including a pistol he held.
Accompanying the lavish snap was a motivational caption: "The American Dream. Starts yours today. Believe in it. Fail. Work. Fail. Learn. Fail. Don't ever stop." He also shared a childhood picture alongside the jet photo, contrasting his humble beginnings with his current multimillionaire status.
The Staggering Numbers Behind the Bout
The financial details of the event are nothing short of astronomical. Reports indicate the total prize pot for the fighters was approximately £137 million. This gargantuan sum was split evenly, with both Joshua and Paul each pocketing around £68.5 million.
When broken down, the earnings per minute and second in the ring are eye-watering. The pair competed for a total of 989 seconds (just over 16 minutes). This translates to earnings of roughly £4.1 million per minute and £69,000 per second while the fight was active.
Anthony Joshua's Heavy Tax Burden
While Jake Paul celebrates his windfall, Anthony Joshua faces a significant financial obligation from his share of the purse. As a UK resident, the Watford-born boxer is liable for taxes in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to tax analysts, 37% of his prize money, roughly £25.6 million, will go directly to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Although Florida has no state income tax, Joshua is subject to the top US federal income tax rate.
His tax responsibilities don't end there. Joshua must also address his UK tax bill with HM Revenue & Customs. After accounting for the US tax already paid, he is required to cover the difference to meet his total UK tax liability, which includes an additional £5.5 million. On top of this, a further £1.4 million is due for National Insurance payments.
When all calculations are complete, Anthony Joshua's total tax liability on his £68.5m earnings is a staggering £32 million. This starkly contrasts with the untaxed display of wealth from his opponent, highlighting the complex financial landscape for internationally competing athletes.
The fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua has therefore written two very different post-fight stories: one of a vanquished but wealthy challenger flaunting his gains, and another of a victorious champion grappling with a multimillion-pound bill from the taxman.
