Anthony Joshua has reportedly banked a guaranteed £6million following his defeat to Daniel Dubois on Saturday night.
The 34-year-old was floored in rounds one, two and four before his 27-year-old opponent delivered the decisive blow in the fifth, and ultimately final, round of the contest.
It is a bitter blow for Joshua, who had been hoping to become a three-time world champion.
However, he can now console himself with the huge pay cheque he’s received.
Anthony Joshua has reportedly banked a guaranteed £6million following his defeat to Daniel Dubois on Saturday night
PA
Sporty Salaries said before the clash that AJ was guaranteed to take home the huge sum of £6m.
That figure could even rise as high as £25million depending on PPV [pay-per-view] sales.
As for Dubois, the younger Briton is guaranteed to earn at least £3.5m. That figure could then rise to £10m depending on sales for the fight.
The reason the winning man is earning less for the bout is due to Joshua being the bigger draw.
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Or at least, he was. Given the nature of the fight, Dubois may just have become the poster boy of British boxing – especially given both Joshua and Tyson Fury are approaching the twilight years of their respective careers.
Dubois is unlikely to be too bothered about earning less from the epic showdown, however.
He managed to retain his IBF belt with the best performance of his career to date.
Joshua, in truth, was fortunate to last as long as he did.
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He has firmly hit back at suggestions he should hang up his gloves, though, with the 34-year-old insisting last night’s defeat was merely a blip.
Joshua, speaking at his post-fight press conference, said: “I always hold my head high.
“We took a shot at success and came up short, unfortunately. We rolled the dice and created history for British boxing.
“Of course I want to continue fighting. We’re going to live to fight another day.
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Boxing news: Anthony Joshua was paid more than Daniel Dubois for their fight last night
PA
“That’s what I am – a warrior. We have to give credit to Daniel. I take my hat off to him.
“I want to thank my team for the way they prepared me. There were a few mistakes in there, but that’s the name of the game.
“Fine margins can cost you at the top level.”
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, believes a rematch with Dubois is likely to happen.
Boxing news: Anthony Joshua has no plans to hang up his gloves despite his disappointing defeat to Daniel Dubois
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“I think he [Joshua] will exercise that rematch clause, I think that’s a given,” said the Matchroom CEo.
“He’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight, this guy is growing in confidence all the time.
“He’ll believe he can hurt Dubois, he’ll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit, it was a great performance.”