Anthony Joshua eyes £70m payday in proposed Jake Paul fight

British-Nigerian heavyweight Anthony Joshua could earn a staggering £70 million if a proposed bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul goes ahead, with discussions reportedly underway for a Miami fight next month, Sport360NG reports.

Insiders have suggested that the total prize fund could reach around £140 million, with plans for an equal split between Joshua, a two-time heavyweight world champion, and Paul.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, emphasized on Thursday that no deal has been formally signed. The fight would mark the 36-year-old’s return to the ring following his 14-month hiatus after a defeat to Daniel Dubois. However, sources close to the negotiations expect an official announcement could come early next week.

Importantly, the match would be a fully sanctioned professional fight under Queensbury rules, rather than an exhibition. A major factor behind the matchup is the potential to broadcast it on Netflix. Joshua is already collaborating with the streaming platform on a documentary, aligning with Paul’s previous ventures.

Paul’s November 2024 fight against 58-year-old Mike Tyson, streamed on Netflix, reportedly drew over 60 million viewers. Meanwhile, the collapse of Paul’s planned fight with lightweight champion Gervonta Davis has accelerated talks with Joshua’s team, after speculation over the matchup has circulated for more than a year.

“It’s not done yet,” Hearn told Daily Mail Sport. “There’s been a lot of premature speculation. Jake Paul would be taking a risk, but discussions are ongoing. Originally, we considered a relatively low-profile fight for AJ, but this is an opportunity to earn 50 times more.”

Acknowledging the unconventional nature of the fight, Hearn added: “Is it great for Joshua’s legacy? Probably not. But he is a two-time heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medallist. If Paul wants to step in the ring, fair play to him, AJ isn’t taking it lightly.”

Paul’s record over the past five years stands at 12 wins and 1 loss, with most victories coming against lower-profile opponents or older fighters. His only defeat was to Tommy Fury, the younger brother of Tyson Fury.

Frank Warren, promoter of Tyson Fury, weighed in on the proposed clash: “People will criticise it, but I don’t see the issue. Both fighters are fit, and it will attract a massive audience. AJ doesn’t generate much buzz in the US, whereas Paul does. People love drama, it will do very well.”

Joshua, meanwhile, is keen to regain his competitive edge while growing his fortune. After returning to light training earlier this year, he underwent surgery on a minor elbow injury in May and resumed intense workouts in October.