ANTHONY JOSHUA and Jake Paul are set to share a £100million prize pot for their controversial bout next month.
Earlier today it was confirmed that former heavyweight king Joshua, 36, will take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul on December 19 in Miami.
Given the huge disparity in size and experience between the two men, the fight will naturally receive criticism.
But with the astronomical figures on offer, it is easy to see the appeal to both fighters involved.
SunSport understands that Paul, 28, is set to share a £100m purse evenly with Joshua.
This means that AJ is in line to pocket around £50m for the Netflix scrap – approximately £10m shy of his career-high payday against Andy Ruiz Jr.
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Over 100million people tuned in to Netflix’s boxing debut; last November’s similarly controversial inter-generational scrap between Paul and Mike Tyson, then 58.
And promoters will be hoping that this bout can attract a similar number of eyeballs.
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul – all the info
A true Christmas miracle!
The world will stand still come December 19 as the face of British boxing Anthony Joshua is all set to go up against social media sensation Jake Paul.
AJ steps in on a month’s notice after Paul’s ‘David vs Goliath’ Gervonta Davis clash was axed due to Tank’s civil suit case.
And Joshua will be desperate not to suffer the same fate as legends Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr who both lost to YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
Particularly as a handsome figure was negotiated to get this Judgement Day deal over the line due to AJ’s DAZN contract.
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Paul had been due to fight Gervonta Davis in Miami last Friday.
But the fight was scrapped after Davis was accused of domestic abuse in a civil suit filed against him by an ex-girlfriend.
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Davis, 31, was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Paul’s camp worked with Netflix in trying to find a replacement, with Davis’ former opponent Ryan Garcia initially targeted.
The event was a non-starter, however, with Garcia’s promoter Oscar de la Hoya citing their exclusive DAZN deal.
Joshua’s former foe Francis Ngannou was also contacted, but found the idea “disrespectful”.
Former pound-for-pound star Andre Ward and boxing’s current No1 Terence Crawford were approached too.
But eventually Paul’s team zeroed in on AJ, after Eddie Hearn put his man forward.
The fight will see Joshua, standing at 6ft 6in and 18 stone, take on 6ft 1in Paul, who has typically fought at the 14st 4lb cruiserweight limit.
It is very unlikely that the British Boxing Board of Control would have sanctioned the fight, but regulations in Florida are looser.
After the fight was announced, Paul vowed: “This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgement Day.
“A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime.
“When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title.
“To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry.”
Paul then cryptically posted on X: “Stop asking me. $267 Million.”
Joshua, meanwhile, said: “Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy.
“I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me.
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“Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected.
“Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
