Anthony Joshua Could Lose Nearly Half of Reported $91m Jake Paul Fight Earnings to Taxes

 

By Oriontimes Sports Desk | December 2025

British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua is reportedly set to forfeit a substantial portion of his alleged $91 million earnings from his much-talked-about bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, due to tax obligations in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

According to multiple international media reports and tax analysts, Joshua’s earnings from the fight which reportedly took place in the United States, would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, as well as UK taxation, given his residency status.

In the United States, foreign athletes are required to pay federal income tax on earnings generated from events held on American soil. While the state of Florida, where the fight was reportedly staged, does not impose a state income tax, the federal tax rate for high earners can rise to approximately 37 percent.

As a UK resident, Joshua is also liable to pay tax on his global income under British tax law. Although the UK and the U.S. operate a double taxation agreement intended to prevent individuals from being taxed twice on the same income, Joshua may still be required to pay additional UK income tax and National Insurance contributions after accounting for taxes already paid in the U.S.

Based on circulating estimates, analysts suggest that Joshua could lose between 40 and 50 percent of the headline figure to combined tax obligations, potentially reducing his take-home earnings to somewhere between $48 million and $55 million. However, these figures remain speculative, as neither Joshua nor his management team has released an official breakdown of his earnings or tax payments.

Financial experts note that such heavy tax deductions are not unusual for elite athletes competing internationally, particularly in high-value boxing matches that generate income across multiple jurisdictions.

Despite the potential tax hit, Joshua would still walk away with one of the most lucrative payouts in boxing history, further underlining the commercial power of crossover fights involving mainstream sports stars and social media personalities.

As of the time of filing this report, no official confirmation has been issued regarding the exact purse or tax liabilities involved in the bout.