File photo: Anthony Joshua beats Ruiz in rematch. PHOTO: UK Mailonline
Nigerian-British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, still physically and emotionally recovering from a fatal accident in Nigeria is currently valued at $150 million, ranking seventh on the list of the richest boxers of all time.
Joshua has earned over $275 million during his fighting career. This is expected to jump if he eventually returns to the ring.
Over the years, he has diversified into other businesses including ownership of 258 Group, Gastropub, Property, Retail spots, and shares in DAZN and Alpine F1.
His style of boxing and no scandal profile has earned him sponsorships from Under Armour, Hugo Boss, Bulk, Lucozade, Jaguar, Beats Electronics, William Hill, British Airways, Suntory, EA Sports.
Despite reports that he has quit boxing following the accident which has traumatized him, having lost two friends, global boxing pundits say he would be talked into going into the ring as soon as he has finally healed.
On the basis of business and emotion, Joshua’s first fight after full recovery will shatter the roof in terms of monetary reward both for him and his next opponent, likely to be Tyson Fury.
Joshua, a 2012 gold medalist in the 2012 Summer Olympics for Great Britain, is the former two-time unified WBO, IBF, and WBA heavyweight champion.
He first held the titles from March 2018 to July 2019. He later reclaimed the three belts with a unanimous decision win over Andy Ruiz Jr. in December 2019.
Joshua’s second unified title run lasted until September 2021. Joshua won his first world title in April 2016 with a second-round knockout win over Charles Martin.
Photo: AP
His last fight before the accident was a win against American Jake Paul whom Joshua dominated in the ring.
Political Economist NG recalls that on Sunday, Joshua issued his first public update following the car crash that killed two of his friends in Nigeria.
Joshua posted a picture on his Instagram account of him sitting on a couch with his mother and three other women, one of whom is holding a photo on her lap. Joshua wrote “My Brothers Keeper” on the caption along with two hearts.
British media reported on Saturday that Joshua had returned to Britain ahead of the funerals of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, which were reportedly held on Sunday.
They died after the vehicle they were traveling in along with Joshua struck a stationary truck on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a busy highway near Lagos on Monday.
Joshua sustained minor injuries and the two-time heavyweight champion was released from a hospital on Wednesday after being deemed fit to recover at home.
Ghami was Joshua´s strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele was a trainer. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele posted clips on social media of the pair playing table tennis together.
The driver of the car, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was charged on Friday with dangerous and reckless driving, with the court case adjourned to Jan. 20 for trial.
Joshua has family roots in Nigeria and he briefly attended boarding school there as a child. He also holds Nigerian nationality.
On Sunday, former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury announced that he is coming out of retirement amid speculation of a long-awaited fight with Joshua, who has yet to comment about his future in boxing.
Additional reports by Associated Press
