In 2024, Anthony Joshua remains a prominent figure in boxing earnings despite facing a significant setback in his career with a defeat to Daniel Dubois. Reports from PUNCH Sports Extra indicate that Joshua ranks among the top three highest-earning boxers for the year, with a guaranteed purse of £6 million from their bout at Wembley Stadium in September. The fight, which ended in a fifth-round stoppage against him, could potentially elevate Joshua’s earnings beyond £25 million, contingent upon pay-per-view (PPV) sales reaching approximately 850,000. This income positions him behind only Tyson Fury and Canelo Alvarez in the financial hierarchy of the sport.
Tyson Fury’s revenue from boxing eclipses Joshua’s figures significantly, as he reportedly earned $100 million from his high-profile undisputed heavyweight match against Oleksandr Usyk, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May. This remarkable sum underscores the growing financial influence of the Saudi Arabian boxing scene. Additionally, Canelo Alvarez secured over $35 million for his super middleweight title defense against Jaime Munguia in Las Vegas, further emphasizing the substantial earnings potential available to top fighters in the current boxing landscape. The revenue generated by fights involving these boxers illustrates not only their drawing power but also the shifts occurring in the sport’s business model.
Dubois, who faced Joshua in the ring, received a guaranteed purse of £3.5 million, with possible earnings of up to £8 million based on PPV performance. The fight was starkly dramatic; Dubois knocked Joshua down four times, leading to the latter’s eventual stoppage. This result has cast a shadow over Joshua’s previous status as a two-time heavyweight champion and has sparked questions about his future in the ring. Despite the defeat, the financial rewards from this bout present a lucrative opportunity as he plans his next steps in his boxing career.
Looking ahead, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is contemplating a potential matchup with Tyson Fury, suggesting that regardless of the outcome of their respective futures, a bout between Joshua and Fury is a possibility that needs to be addressed. Hearn’s comments indicate not just a desire for financial gain but also a yearning to restore Joshua’s standing in the sport amidst the tides of loss and recovery. The prospect of facing Fury is enticing, as it is one of boxing’s most anticipated matchups, which could reignite interest in Joshua’s career and draw substantial PPV sales.
Despite the eagerness for a showdown between Fury and Joshua, there are hurdles to overcome first. Fury’s co-promoter, Frank Warren, has expressed skepticism about the immediate feasibility of such a fight, emphasizing that Joshua must first rebuild his credibility in the wake of his loss to Dubois. This viewpoint underscores the competitive nature of boxing and the importance of reputation and marketability in securing lucrative matches. Meanwhile, Dubois is scheduled to defend his IBF heavyweight title in February against yet-to-be-named competition, suggesting that both fighters have pathways to further their careers post their September clash.
The financial landscape for boxing in 2024 is notably influenced by events like Riyadh Season, which has propelled Saudi Arabia to the forefront as a lucrative destination for boxing matches. Usyk, who recently became the undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Fury, also saw substantial earnings of $45 million from their May bout. This lucrative era for boxing is shaping the future of the sport, where boxers like Joshua, Fury, and Alvarez are not only vying for titles but are also engaged in a significant battle for financial supremacy. As the dynamics of promotional deals and venue locations evolve, fighters are increasingly navigating a landscape that emphasizes earnings alongside athletic achievement.
