Anthony Joshua’s Net Worth: From Olympic Gold to Boxing Glory

Anthony Joshua is a British professional boxer whose net worth is estimated at $150 million. He is one of the most recognizable names in modern boxing, celebrated for his power, athletic build, and ability to attract global audiences. Joshua first gained international attention after winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. That achievement launched his professional career later that year, quickly establishing him as a dominant figure in the heavyweight division.

Joshua began his professional journey with an impressive 20-fight knockout streak, building momentum and attention in the boxing world. His defining moment came in April 2017, when he defeated former world champion Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium. That victory not only earned him worldwide recognition but also solidified his status as a unified heavyweight champion. Joshua’s marketability and charisma have allowed him to command substantial fight purses, making him one of the wealthiest boxers of his generation.

Following his rise, Joshua successfully defended his titles against top contenders, including Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker, and Alexander Povetkin, earning multiple eight-figure paydays. His undefeated streak ended in June 2019 when he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden in a stunning upset. However, Joshua redeemed himself in a rematch six months later in Saudi Arabia, winning by unanimous decision and reportedly taking home £46 million, the largest paycheck of his career at that time.

Joshua later faced back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, prompting a period of rebuilding. Since then, he has bounced back with four straight victories, including a dominant knockout win over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in 2024. Joshua’s combination of skill, resilience, and global appeal has earned him significant income from fight purses and endorsements with major brands such as Under Armour and Beats by Dre, cementing his financial and sporting legacy.

Early Life

Anthony Joshua was born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. His mother, Yeta, is Nigerian, while his father, Robert, has Nigerian and Irish heritage. Joshua spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, attending the Mayflower School in Ikenne, a boarding school.

When his parents divorced at age 12, Joshua returned to England and enrolled at Kings Langley Secondary School. An athletic youth, he excelled at sports, breaking the school’s 100-meter sprint record. Despite his natural athleticism, Joshua did not start boxing until age 18, which is relatively late for a professional athlete. Before fully committing to boxing, he worked as a bricklayer, a job that contributed to his strength and work ethic.

Amateur Boxing Career

Joshua took up boxing in 2007, quickly showing promise. He joined the Finchley ABC Club in North London, a gym known for producing notable heavyweights such as Derek Chisora. By 2009, he was already winning local competitions, including the Haringey Box Cup, demonstrating speed, power, and determination.

In 2010, Joshua captured the senior ABA Championships but chose to remain an amateur rather than turn professional, even though he was offered a $60,000 payday. He explained:
“Turning down that £50,000 was easy. I didn’t take up the sport for money, I want to win medals.”

Joshua earned a place on the Great Britain Boxing team and became the GB amateur champion in 2010. The following year, he narrowly lost at the European Championships to Romanian boxer Mihai Nistor, but he was still named Amateur Boxer of the Year 2011 with an impressive 40-3 record.

The 2012 London Olympics was Joshua’s ultimate amateur stage. He won the gold medal in heavyweight boxing, though some critics noted that competing on home soil may have contributed to his success. In recognition of his achievements, Joshua was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013 for services to boxing.

Professional Career and Major Wins

Joshua began his professional career in 2013 and quickly became a powerhouse in the heavyweight division. He made his U.S. debut on June 1, 2019, at Madison Square Garden, facing Andy Ruiz Jr., who replaced the original opponent Jarrell Miller after a failed drug test. In one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, Ruiz knocked Joshua down four times, ending the fight in the seventh round via TKO.

Joshua recovered six months later in a rematch in Saudi Arabia on December 7, 2019, defeating Ruiz by unanimous decision and reclaiming his titles. That fight became the largest payday of his career, earning him an estimated $57.5 million.

In 2021, Joshua defended his unified titles against former cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in the U.K., but Usyk outboxed him over 12 rounds to win by unanimous decision. The rematch in August 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw Joshua perform better but still lose on points.

After these setbacks, Joshua began a rebuilding phase. In 2023, he defeated Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision, followed by a seventh-round knockout of Robert Helenius. In March 2024, he scored a fast knockout of Francis Ngannou, ending the fight in under two rounds and earning a reported $50 million.

Joshua is scheduled to face Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21, 2025, for the IBF heavyweight title. A victory could restore his world champion status and pave the way for a potential showdown with fellow Brit Tyson Fury.

Top Career Paydays

Joshua has consistently been one of boxing’s highest-paid athletes, drawing massive paydays thanks to his ability to sell tickets and attract pay-per-view audiences. His most lucrative fights include:

• Andy Ruiz Jr. II (Dec 7, 2019) – $57.5 million
• Francis Ngannou (Mar 8, 2024) – $50 million
• Oleksandr Usyk II (Aug 20, 2022) – $40.6 million
• Alexander Povetkin (Sep 22, 2018) – $25 million
• Andy Ruiz Jr. I (Jun 1, 2019) – $24.8 million
• Joseph Parker (Mar 31, 2018) – $20 million
• Wladimir Klitschko (Apr 29, 2017) – $18.75 million
• Carlos Takam (Oct 28, 2017) – $12.5 million
• Jermaine Franklin (Apr 1, 2023) – $12.5 million
• Robert Helenius (Aug 12, 2023) – $12.5 million

Combined, these ten fights alone account for approximately $275 million in career earnings.

Personal Life

Joshua has had a few legal issues. In 2009, he spent time on remand in Reading Prison for involvement in fights and was required to wear an electronic ankle tag. In 2011, he was stopped for speeding in North London and charged with cannabis possession, receiving a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Outside the ring, Joshua enjoys strategic games like chess, which he uses to enhance his tactical thinking in boxing. He is not a huge soccer fan but supports Real Madrid. His boxing idols include Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, and Evander Holyfield.

In terms of relationships, Joshua has been romantically linked to several women over the years. In 2014, he reportedly dated model Cara Delevingne, and in 2015, he had a son named Joseph with dance teacher Nicole Osbourne. He was also seen with Bella Hadid in 2016, though that relationship did not develop further.

Conclusion

Anthony Joshua is not only one of the most successful boxers of his generation but also one of the sport’s most marketable stars. With a net worth of $150 million, his wealth comes from a combination of fight purses, endorsements, and international recognition. Despite facing major setbacks, including shocking losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua has proven his resilience by bouncing back with dominant performances. His scheduled fight with Daniel Dubois in 2025 could mark another turning point in his career, potentially restoring him to world champion status and setting the stage for a historic clash with Tyson Fury. Joshua’s journey from late-blooming boxer to global superstar is a testament to his skill, determination, and ability to captivate audiences worldwide.