Why Jake Paul Might Earn More Than Anthony Joshua Despite Losing Miami Bout

Anthony Joshua may have walked away from Miami with a crushing knockout victory over Jake Paul, but when the financial dust settles, it is the American who is set to pocket more money from the night despite losing emphatically.

Both fighters reportedly earned $92 million each from their heavyweight exhibition bout in Miami, sharing a massive $184 million prize pool. It was the biggest payday of Joshua’s career and came after a dominant display that ended in the sixth round.

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer, absorbed sustained punishment before Joshua landed a decisive right hand that brought a one-sided contest to an abrupt end. The fight took place at the Kaseya Centre and was streamed globally on Netflix, drawing huge attention and commercial interest.

Yet the difference between victory and defeat will not define who takes home the most money. Instead, tax obligations will.

Because the fight was staged in the United States, Joshua is expected to be hit by multiple layers of taxation that will significantly cut into his earnings. According to figures reported by Yahoo News, the British heavyweight will pay US federal income tax at a rate of 37 per cent, amounting to around $52 million.

That is only part of the bill. On returning to the United Kingdom, Joshua is also expected to pay about $11.3 million to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, alongside an estimated $2.8 million in National Insurance contributions.

“All up, Joshua will part ways with about $66m, leaving him with $74m in his pocket out of the total purse of $140m,” the breakdown stated. While Florida does not impose a state income tax, federal taxes still apply to foreign athletes competing in the US.

Jake Paul, on the other hand, will reportedly only be taxed in the United States. With no additional tax obligations back home, the American is expected to retain a larger share of his earnings than Joshua, despite both men receiving the same fight purse.

“British star Joshua is set to be taxed by the US government for the earnings, as well as when he gets home to the UK. He will also have to give up some of the money in National Insurance contributions back home,” Yahoo News wrote. “Paul will only be taxed on the $52 million by the US government, meaning he’ll actually get to keep more than Joshua.”

Inside the ring, Joshua left no room for debate. He dropped Paul in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds before sealing the knockout in round six, breaking Paul’s jaw in two places and ending his unbeaten run.

The win improved Joshua’s record to 29 victories from 33 professional fights and marked a strong return following his defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

After the bout, Paul claimed he should be fast-tracked into a showdown with Canelo Álvarez, while Joshua turned his attention to a potential all-British blockbuster. The former world champion called out Tyson Fury and vowed to face the ‘Gypsy King’ in 2026.

Both fighters are now subject to mandatory medical suspensions. Under rules enforced by the Florida State Athletic Commission, Paul has been handed a minimum 45-day suspension following the knockout, with the possibility of a longer lay-off depending on medical assessments. Joshua, despite winning, is also required to observe a seven-day stand-down period.