What once seemed like a media fantasy—an ex-unified heavyweight champion facing a digital creator turned professional boxer—has become one of the most lucrative spectacles in modern boxing. The Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua showdown, scheduled for December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, represents a turning point in the industry, where star power and digital reach collide to create unprecedented financial impact.
Paul brings massive online influence, while Joshua enters with heavyweight pedigree and global recognition. This contrast fuels the commercial momentum behind the event. According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s purse will be “almost the highest of his career,” highlighting the magnitude of the matchup.
A Combined Purse Surpassing $80 Million
In an interview with Forbes, Hearn was asked whether Joshua would earn more than $30 million. That immediately raised questions about Jake Paul’s compensation. If Joshua’s purse exceeds that figure, the YouTuber-turned-boxer would logically earn even more.
According to a source cited by Forbes, Paul is expected to make at least $50 million—numbers typically reserved for boxing stars like Canelo Álvarez or Tyson Fury. “At minimum, Jake will walk away with more than $50 million once everything settles,” the source said.
Netflix is not surprised by these figures after the enormous success of the Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. The platform believes this new matchup could break the performance metrics that previously set its own streaming records.
The Business Model Behind Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
The financial potential of the fight rests on three pillars: global reach, a provocative storyline, and the combined promotional power of Matchroom Boxing and Most Valuable Promotions. The heavyweight bout, scheduled for eight rounds, has generated exceptional anticipation across both traditional boxing fans and broader digital audiences.
Anthony Joshua faces the pressure of representing heavyweight boxing tradition. For many viewers, a simple decision victory will not be enough. Eddie Hearn has echoed this sentiment behind the scenes—Joshua understands that fans expect him to stop Jake Paul inside the distance.
