Anthony Joshua has been ranked among the top three highest-earning boxers of 2024, despite facing a stunning defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.
The PUNCH reported that the former two-time heavyweight champion collected a guaranteed purse of £6 million from their clash at Wembley Stadium.
With additional earnings from pay-per-view sales, Joshua’s total income could surpass £25 million if the fight garners around 850,000 PPV buys.
This impressive financial feat places Joshua behind only Tyson Fury and Canelo Alvarez in the earnings rankings this year. Fury, known as the Gipsy King, reportedly amassed an astonishing $100 million from his historic undisputed heavyweight showdown against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier in May.
Meanwhile, Alvarez secured “north of $35 million” for successfully defending his undisputed super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as noted by boxing journalist Dan Rafael.
In their bout, Dubois earned a guaranteed purse of £3.5 million, with the potential to reach £8 million depending on the performance of PPV sales.
The match ended dramatically, with Dubois knocking Joshua down four times before achieving a fifth-round stoppage, showcasing his formidable skills in the ring.
As Joshua prepares for his next move in boxing, promoter Eddie Hearn hinted at a potential blockbuster rematch against Fury, stating, “I think Fury, win or lose, will want to fight AJ next, and that’s something we’ve got to decide.”
This speculation follows Joshua’s recent struggles, suggesting a keen interest from both sides in reviving their rivalry.
However, Frank Warren, Fury’s co-promoter, expressed skepticism about an immediate rematch with Dubois, emphasizing that Joshua must first rebuild his credibility in the boxing world.
Dubois is set to defend his IBF heavyweight title on February 22 against an opponent yet to be named.
The financial landscape for boxers has dramatically shifted in 2024, largely due to the introduction of Riyadh Season, which has transformed Saudi Arabia into a premier destination for lucrative boxing matches.
Usyk, who claimed the undisputed heavyweight title by defeating Fury, earned a remarkable $45 million from their May encounter, highlighting the significant earnings potential that fighters can tap into in the current boxing environment.
