Anthony Joshua at a Glance
Anthony Joshua’s Net Worth: A Deep Dive into His Career and Earnings
Anthony Joshua, a name synonymous with power and precision in the boxing world, has not only dominated the ring but also amassed a substantial fortune. This article delves into Anthony Joshua’s net worth, tracing his career earnings, early life, professional triumphs, and personal endeavors. We’ll examine how he ascended to become one of the highest-paid athletes globally and the key moments that shaped his financial success.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
- The Ascent: Joshua’s Boxing Career
- Professional Triumphs and Championship Reigns
- Notable Paydays: Joshua’s Financial Highlights
- Personal Life and Interests
- Conclusion
Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua was born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. His heritage is a blend of Nigerian and Irish roots, with his mother, Yeta, being Nigerian, and his father, Robert, of Nigerian and Irish descent. His early childhood included a period in Nigeria, where he attended the Mayflower School in Ikenne. This formative experience provided a foundation that shaped his discipline and character.
Returning to the United Kingdom at age 12 after his parents’ divorce, Joshua attended Kings Langley Secondary School. Demonstrating natural athleticism, he excelled in soccer and track and field, even breaking the school’s 100-meter race record. However, boxing didn’t enter the picture until he was 18, a relatively late start for a sport often dominated by those who begin training in their youth. Before committing to boxing full-time, Joshua worked as a bricklayer, a testament to his work ethic and grounded approach to life.
The Ascent: Joshua’s Boxing Career
Joshua’s boxing journey commenced in 2007, and his progress was rapid. He joined the Finchley ABC club in North London, the same club that produced heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora. By 2009, Joshua was already making waves, winning the Haringey Box Cup. In 2010, he secured the senior ABA Championships, and instead of turning professional, he chose to remain an amateur, prioritizing victories and experience.
This decision meant turning down a significant payday of $60,000, a choice that underscored his dedication to the sport and a desire for medals over immediate financial gain. “Turning down that £50,000 was easy. I didn’t take up the sport for money, I want to win medals,” he later explained, highlighting his intrinsic motivation. This commitment paid off when he earned a spot on the Great Britain Boxing team and was crowned GB amateur champion in 2010. In 2011, he narrowly missed out on the European Championships, losing to Romanian Mihai Nistor, but his remarkable record earned him the title of Amateur Boxer of the Year.
Joshua’s amateur success culminated in a spot at the 2012 London Olympics. After some controversial matches, he secured the gold medal. Despite critics questioning the role of home advantage, this victory marked a pivotal moment in his career. In 2013, his achievements were recognized with a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to boxing.
Professional Triumphs and Championship Reigns
In July 2013, Anthony Joshua officially turned professional, signing with Matchroom Sport. His professional debut in October 2013 at the O2 Arena in London was a resounding success, with a first-round TKO victory over Italian Emanuele Leo. The year that followed was a showcase of his dominance, and in October 2014, again at the O2 Arena, Joshua, at the age of 24, claimed the WBC International Heavyweight Championship.
In September 2015, he added the Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship to his accolades, defeating undefeated Scottish boxer Gary Cornish within 90 seconds of the first round. In December, he faced and defeated Dillian Whyte, another undefeated boxer. The match ended with a KO in the seventh round, with Joshua reportedly earning three million pounds from the fight.
February 2016 saw Joshua’s first world title win, defeating IBF Heavyweight Champion Charles Martin at the O2 Arena. He continued his streak with a seventh-round victory over Dominic Breazeale in June and successfully defended his IBF title against Eric Molina in November. These victories solidified his position as a top heavyweight contender.

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The WBA sanctioned a unification bout between Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the vacant WBA Super Title. This fight broke box office records. In front of a crowd of over 90,000, Joshua secured a dramatic TKO victory. Although a rematch was discussed, Klitschko retired the following year. Joshua maintained his world titles throughout 2017, including a fight against Carlos Takam.
In 2018, Joshua defeated Joseph Parker in Cardiff, marking the longest fight of his career at that point, and claimed Parker’s WBO Heavyweight title. He continued to maintain his titles by defeating Alexander Povetkin in seven rounds. His dominance continued through 2019 and into 2020.
Notable Paydays: Joshua’s Financial Highlights
Anthony Joshua’s earnings have consistently placed him among the highest-paid athletes globally. Several fights have significantly contributed to his net worth. Key financial milestones include:
- Wladimir Klitschko Fight (2017): Joshua earned $17 million for defeating Klitschko, winning the vacant WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles.
- Carlos Takam Fight (2017): He earned $12.5 million.
- Andy Ruiz Jr. Fight (June 1, 2019): Surprisingly, Joshua lost to the underdog Andy Ruiz Jr. Joshua’s earnings were $25 million for this fight, while Ruiz earned $7 million.
- Andy Ruiz Jr. Rematch (December 2019): Joshua’s guaranteed purse was $60 million, and he won the fight by unanimous decision. Andy Ruiz Jr. was guaranteed $9 million.
- Earnings Between June 2017 and June 2018: Joshua earned $42 million from purses and endorsements, including the $20 million from the Povetkin fight.
- Earnings Between June 2018 and June 2019: He earned an impressive $54 million, largely due to the Ruiz fight, solidifying his status as one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond boxing, Joshua has had his share of media attention. He was briefly remanded in Reading Prison in 2009 and wore an electronic ankle tag upon release. In 2011, he was charged with cannabis possession after police found the drug in his car and received a community order with unpaid work. These incidents highlighted the challenges of maintaining a high profile.
Joshua enjoys chess and supports Real Madrid, using these as mental exercises to improve his boxing skills. He has named Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, and Evander Holyfield as his boxing idols. His personal life has also seen him linked to various models, including Cara Delevingne and Bella Hadid, with whom he was romantically connected, but did not last.
Conclusion
Anthony Joshua’s net worth of $80 million reflects his hard work, dedication, and global appeal. His journey from amateur boxer to world champion is a story of perseverance and success. His high earnings and brand endorsements showcase the financial rewards of boxing at its highest levels. Joshua continues to be a prominent figure in the sport, and his career provides a compelling example of athletic achievement and financial prosperity.