Anthony Joshua could have been earning £37 million against Deontay Wilder but he will instead look to defend his titles before he turns his gaze to another unification fight.
Joshua reportedly received a baseline offer of $50 million (£37 million) to agree to a unification clash with Wilder, the WBC heavyweight champion, in America but a deal could not be agreed.
‘AJ’ will instead continue his streak of competing exclusively on UK soil this weekend and while he is heavily favoured to add to his undefeated record with a victory over challenger Alexander Povetkin at Wembley, the Russian is no gimme.
The total purse for Saturday’s main event is said to be £26 million, according to a report in the Telegraph and Joshua is understandably going to take home the lion’s share of that figure.
The defending champ is reportedly guaranteed £20 million for his 22nd professional outing while Povetkin can expect to pocket £6 million.
Joshua also earned around £20 million for his clash with Joseph Parker in March but his payday will increase even more if he gets through Povetkin unscathed and agrees to fight the winner of Wilder and Tyson Fury for the WBC title.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already reserved a date next April, again at Wembley, for his marquee fighter’s next bout.
“Providing I beat Povetkin, 13 April is booked,” Joshua said.
“Wembley is there – a date and a location – it’s just the person who wants to step up and fight me.”
