Anthony Joshua: Heavyweight champ on claims he is set to be boxing’s first billionaire
Britain's world heavyweight champ on blowing Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson out of the water
ANTHONY JOSHUA has welcomed talk of him becoming boxing's first billionaire and roared: Is that before or after tax?
Joshua has been tipped to surpass the riches of Floyd Mayweather as the richest ever fighter.
The IBF heavyweight champion stands to collect £40million from his showdown fight against Wladimir Klitschko next April as his global appeal continues to soar.
And his earnings potential is so big many experts believe he will blow the likes of Moneyman Mayweather and Mike Tyson out of the water over his career.
But the Olympic champ - who still lives with him beloved mum and does the chores around their ex-council flat - insists he will play it safe with his 10-figure fortune and only splash out on hard-earned holidays.
Joshua said: "They said I'm going to be a billionaire boxer? Is that before or after tax?
"What would I have to make before tax to be a billionaire boxer? Is that gross or net?
"What would I spend it on? Properties, then you have to leave some in the bank.
"Pensions, ISAs and bonds, that kind of stuff. And holidays, you've got to have holidays."
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn says his boxer's humble lifestyle and out-of-ring appeal to the mainstream will help safeguard and grow his earnings.
Unlike Iron Mike, who frittered away millions, British hero Ricky Hatton, who has struggled with retirement, and David Haye - who according to upcoming opponent Tony Bellew is only making a comeback because he's skint - Joshua has a wise old head on giant shoulders and a determination to stay grounded.
Hearn said: "He's had and good year but a billion is a lot of money.
“He is earning phenomenal money both in and out the ring and this is the biggest fight in boxing history. It's also the biggest financially.
"To hit those numbers you need to be on US TV as well, and you can earn that money.
"He's also the perfect ambassador for any brand and that is why he has so many corporate sponsors."
Most fight fans still hold Tyson Fury up as the man-to-beat in world boxing after he was the one to smash Klitschko’s decade of dominance and become the undisputed champion.
But his mental instability and issues with drugs have caused him to be stripped of his belts and cast aside, just months after he climbed to the top of the world.
And sadly, for Joshua’s bank balance and the curiosity of fans, Hearn believes the proud traveller is still miles off a ring return as his most pressing battle right now is with his bulge.
Hearn said: “He’s a long way off even returning to the gym.
"He has got so much work to do even to just get in shape to have a training camp.
“I don’t think any return to boxing is imminent. But I think he will return to boxing and I hope he does.”
