Former heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua delivered a crushing knockout victory over Jake Paul this past weekend, leaving the social media star with a broken jaw and ending the highly anticipated crossover contest in emphatic fashion. Yet the most significant financial impact from the December 19, 2025 event won’t come from the prize money itself, but rather from the enormous tax obligations that follow.
Despite earning a reported $93 million USD (approximately $140 million AUD) from the Florida-based contest, Joshua faces a complex dual-taxation scenario that will consume nearly half his total earnings. The Olympic gold medalist’s residency in the United Kingdom creates a challenging financial situation that his opponent simply doesn’t face.
The federal government takes its share first. Because the contest took place on American soil, Joshua must pay U.S. federal income tax at the top rate of 37 percent. That portion alone amounts to roughly $52 million, according to estimates from Yahoo Sports and other financial analysts.
However, the taxation doesn’t end there. As a UK resident, Joshua remains liable for taxes on his worldwide income. Upon returning home, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs expects an additional $11.3 million payment. On top of that, National Insurance contributions will take another $2.8 million from his purse.
When all obligations are calculated, Joshua faces approximately $66 million in total tax payments, leaving him with about $74 million from the event. While that remains an impressive sum by any standard, it represents only about 53 percent of his original earnings.
Paul’s financial situation proves far more straightforward. The Florida resident benefits from both the absence of state income tax and freedom from UK taxation. His only obligation involves U.S. federal taxes, allowing him to retain a substantially larger percentage of his purse despite being stopped in the ring.
A separate analysis conducted by betting data firm AceOdds, examining the figures in British pounds, reached similar conclusions. Based on a £70 million payout, Joshua could surrender more than £31 million to various tax authorities.
The situation presents a peculiar outcome: the victor who dominated the contest and achieved the knockout may ultimately take home less money than the defeated opponent.
For professional athletes competing internationally, tax implications can reshape the economics of even the most lucrative opportunities. Joshua’s dominant performance and impressive victory will be remembered in boxing history, but the financial aftermath demonstrates how geography and tax policy can transform a nine-figure payday into something considerably smaller.smaller.
