Anthony Joshua will earn up to £70million for his fight with Jake Paul next week as he returns to the ring after a 15-month absence
Anthony Joshua has revealed he will NOT be earning a career-high purse against Jake Paul.
Joshua will take on YouTuber Paul in Miami next Friday in a controversial heavyweight showdown. Joshua has not fought since he was badly knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley 15 months ago and views his meeting with Paul as a tune-up for a potential clash with Tyson Fury next September.
Joshua is expected to earn as much as £70million just days before Christmas with Netflix splashing out on what promises to be one of the most-watched fights in boxing history. But the former two-time heavyweight world champion has admitted it won’t be a record pay-day. When asked by TMZ if this would be his biggest purse to date, Joshua said: “Unfortunately not.”
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Joshua also admitted he can’t afford to be taken many rounds by Paul, and that he needs to knock out the social media star. “I really understand where they’re coming from. I understand. I get it,” he said of those who have demanded he stops Paul early.
“I know the expectations and demands these fans have. And I respect it. If I didn’t respect it, I’d be honest with you and say, ‘No they’re talking rubbish,’ but I do. I do get it because I hold myself in that same regard, so I need to [KO Jake] and that’s my intention, to seek and destroy.”
Watch Jake vs Joshua live on Netflix for free
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will face off for a heavyweight clash in Miami on December 19. The fight will stream live on Netflix, which fans can get for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, the brand’s ‘lowest ever price’ for Sky TV.
Joshua also denied claims he has agreed to go easy on Paul. The YouTuber’s fights have been subject of increased scrutiny with observers claiming they are fixed given his rise over the last five years. But Joshua said: “I haven’t seen that part but no, there is no clause. I heard he fought Mike Tyson in 140z gloves and that he was going to fight Gervonta in 12oz gloves and then he chose to fight me in 10oz gloves so… he wants to hurt me, I think he wants to take me out.
“I understand people’s concerns but they have to start believing in Jake. They don’t believe because they can’t get their head around how he beat those guys. How did he beat Anderson Silva, how did he beat Nate Diaz, how did he beat Mike Tyson? I’m telling you there is no stipulation in the contract where I have to take it easy.”
