Anthony Joshua Set for £70m Payday in Proposed Miami Showdown With Jake Paul

Anthony Joshua is positioned to earn an estimated £70 million from a planned high-profile showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, as negotiations advance for a mega-fight expected to take place in Miami next month.

Sources close to the discussions say the total prize purse is around £140 million, with both fighters projected to receive equal payouts once the deal is sealed.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed on Thursday that talks are ongoing and not yet finalised. The bout would mark the 36-year-old’s first return to the ring since his heavy loss to Daniel Dubois over a year ago. However, insiders suggest an official announcement could be made as early as next week.

The contest is expected to be sanctioned as a full professional fight under Queensbury rules, not an exhibition.

A key driver behind the negotiations is Netflix, which is eager to broadcast the event. The streaming giant—currently working on a documentary about Joshua—previously streamed Paul’s November 2024 clash with Mike Tyson, which drew over 60 million viewers.

Talks with Joshua accelerated after Paul’s planned bout with lightweight champion Gervonta Davis collapsed, renewing momentum for a matchup that has been rumoured for more than a year.

“It is not done yet,” Hearn told Daily Mail Sport.
“There has been a lot of gun jumping on this. I think Jake Paul would be mad to take the fight, but we are in talks. We were discussing a very low-key fight for AJ, but an opportunity has come up to make 50 times more money.”

Responding to critics, Hearn added:
“Would it be great for Joshua’s legacy? No. But I’ll tell you what is — two-time heavyweight world champion and an Olympic gold medal. This is an opportunity, and fair play to Paul if he wants to get in that ring because AJ won’t be messing about.”

Paul currently carries a 12–1 record, built mostly against lesser-known fighters and aging former champions. His only loss came against Tommy Fury.

Promoter Frank Warren also commented, saying:
“People are going to criticise it, but I don’t see it that way. As long as these guys are both fit, which they are, then I don’t have a problem. It will get a huge audience – AJ doesn’t cause a lot of noise in the US, and Paul does. People like car crashes. It will do well.”

Beyond the financial incentive, Joshua is also looking to shake off rust after a long layoff. He resumed light training earlier this year, underwent minor elbow surgery in May, and ramped up preparations again in October.

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