Nigerian-born British boxer Anthony Joshua cracks the top three highest-earning boxers of the year
Despite a surprise defeat to Daniel Dubois in September, Joshua’s guaranteed purse of £6 million for his Wembley Stadium bout ensured he emerged as one of the top-earning boxers in the sport, with the potential for total earnings to exceed £25 million if pay-per-view sales reach 850,000.
This impressive feat places Joshua among the elite earners in boxing, behind only Tyson Fury and Canelo Alvarez this year.
Fury’s exceptional performance in his historic undisputed heavyweight match against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, netted him a staggering $100 million take-home pay. Additionally, Alvarez reportedly earned a “north of $35 million” payout for his successful title defense against Jaime Munguia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In the same fight, Dubois secured a guaranteed purse of £3.5 million, with total earnings potentially reaching £8 million based on pay-per-view performance. The bout concluded dramatically, with Dubois delivering a fifth-round knockout, knocking Joshua down four times beforehand.
Looking ahead, Joshua’s lucrative earnings pave the way for his anticipated return to the ring. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has hinted at a potential match with Fury as the next step for the British star. “I think Fury, win or lose, will want to fight AJ next, and that’s something we’ve got to decide,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
However, Fury’s co-promoter, Frank Warren, has expressed that Joshua may need to rebuild his credibility before an immediate rematch with Dubois can be considered. Dubois is scheduled to defend his IBF heavyweight title on February 22 against an unnamed opponent.
The launch of Riyadh Season has played a significant role in catapulting fighter earnings in 2024, as Saudi Arabia emerges as a leading destination for lucrative boxing events. It’s worth noting that Usyk earned $45 million from his May clash with Fury, securing the undisputed heavyweight champion title.
