Four years after his first professional fight, Anthony Joshua is already being talked up as the first ever billionaire boxer.
The 27-year-old remains unbeaten in the ring and boasts a string of advertising endorsements that have helped make him one of the most marketable athletes in the world today.
Joshua defends his IBF heavyweight belt against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium tonight and the Olympic gold-medallist is expected to earn over £6.5 million from the fight.
Sky Sports Box Office are anticipating an estimated 1.5 million people will purchase the fight, which will translate to around £30 million in revenue.
Late last year Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn guessed Joshua had made less than £15 million in his career since turning professional – but this month’s blockbuster fight is expected to take his earnings to close to £25 million, including endorsement deals.
In an interview with the IBF heavyweight champion in December 2016, Gareth Davies discovered just how seriously Joshua takes the up keep of his personal brand.
“Peek behind the scenes and there is a young management team, with Joshua as its CEO, building his athletic and business career. He, of course, as the fighter, is the business. And he needs to keep winning and building his prowess to ensure it succeeds.,” wrote Davies.
Scott Welch, the former heavyweight world title challenger, believes Joshua is on a path to becoming the world’s richest sportsperson.
“I believe that Anthony Joshua will be the first billionaire fighter,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“I really do believe that. Floyd Mayweather has earned £500 or £600million, Mike Tyson earned £300-odd million 20 or 30 years ago. This guy, as a heavyweight, has got the potential to be the first billionaire fighter.
“He’s going to rule for the next eight or nine years. Within six months to a year he’ll be unbeatable.”
[telegraph]
