Despite recent setbacks, Anthony Joshua remains one of the biggest financial forces in boxing, according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn. While his losses have raised questions about his legacy and current abilities, his commercial appeal has never wavered.
Hearn’s bold claim that Joshua is still “the money” of the heavyweight division highlights the importance of star power in boxing. Regardless of who holds the belts, Joshua continues to generate massive pay-per-view sales, sponsorship deals, and ticket revenue. But what makes Joshua such a valuable asset, and how does he compare to other heavyweight stars?
Anthony Joshua’s Financial Power in Boxing
Boxing is as much about business as it is about skill. While winning titles is important, the ability to sell fights is what truly defines a megastar.
Pay-Per-View Dominance: Joshua consistently generates huge PPV numbers, even when he is not fighting for a world title.
Ticket Sales and Stadium Fights: He has filled massive venues like Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, drawing tens of thousands of fans.
Global Brand Endorsements: Deals with Under Armour, Beats by Dre, and JD Sports have kept Joshua’s name in the mainstream.
International Recognition: Unlike many fighters, Joshua has a fanbase that stretches across multiple continents.
These financial strengths have kept Joshua at the top of boxing’s food chain, even as others have claimed championship belts.
Comparing Joshua to Other Heavyweight Stars
While Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk hold the current heavyweight titles, they do not generate the same commercial numbers as Joshua.
Tyson Fury: Although Fury is a major attraction, his PPV numbers have been inconsistent, especially in fights outside of the Deontay Wilder trilogy.
Oleksandr Usyk: While Usyk is one of the most skilled boxers of this generation, he lacks the global marketing pull that Joshua commands.
Deontay Wilder: Known for his knockout power, Wilder is a popular fighter, but his financial drawing power does not match Joshua’s level.
Even after losses, Joshua remains the biggest financial asset in heavyweight boxing, reinforcing Hearn’s claim.
The Business of Boxing: Why Joshua Still Matters
Hearn’s assertion that Joshua is “the money of the heavyweight division” has significant implications:
Fighters Will Always Want to Face Him: A match against Joshua guarantees a huge payday. Whether it’s Fury, Usyk, Wilder, or a rising star like Dubois, every top fighter sees Joshua as a financial opportunity.
His Comeback Fights Will Sell Big: Even if Joshua is not in title contention, his road to redemption will attract millions of fans.
Potential Crossover Ventures: With his financial power, Joshua has the ability to expand beyond boxing, whether in business, media, or even other combat sports.
Boxing is a sport where champions are defined not only by their victories but also by their ability to generate financial success. While titles change hands frequently, true superstars remain relevant even after losses. This is the case with Anthony Joshua, who, despite recent setbacks, continues to be the biggest commercial attraction in heavyweight boxing.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, recently made headlines by declaring that Joshua is still “the money of the heavyweight division.” This bold statement raises questions about what truly defines a boxing megastar—is it about holding championship belts, or is it about drawing the biggest crowds and pay-per-view numbers?
The Financial Power of Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua’s career has been built on both inside dominance and business acumen. Unlike many boxers who struggle with financial management, Joshua has built a global brand that extends far beyond boxing.
Some key factors that reinforce his status as the heavyweight division’s biggest financial asset include:
Massive Pay-Per-View Sales: Joshua’s fights have consistently
Even in the wake of his recent losses, Anthony Joshua remains the biggest financial draw in heavyweight boxing. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has emphasized that Joshua is still “the money” of the division, meaning that, regardless of his setbacks, he continues to generate massive revenue through pay-per-view sales, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
This statement brings up an important question—what truly defines a boxing superstar? Is it purely based on championship belts, or do financial success and marketability hold equal importance?
Joshua’s Financial Power in Boxing
Despite his recent losses, Joshua’s ability to draw massive crowds and generate revenue is unmatched in the heavyweight division. Some key reasons why he remains the most financially influential boxer include:
Pay-Per-View Dominance: Joshua’s fights consistently rank among the top-selling PPV events, drawing millions of viewers worldwide.
Arena and Stadium Fights: Unlike many other heavyweights, Joshua regularly sells out massive venues such as Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Global Sponsorships: With deals from major brands like Under Armour, JD Sports, and Beats by Dre, Joshua’s commercial value extends far beyond the boxing ring.
International Appeal: Joshua is one of the few fighters with a truly global fanbase, with strong followings in the UK, Africa, the United States, and the Middle East.
Is marketability more important than championships?
While some critics argue that Joshua’s recent losses should lower his status in the division, others believe that his financial dominance proves that being a champion is not the only thing that matters in boxing.
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder Rivalry: Even though Wilder lost two fights to Fury, his financial status and marketability remained high because fans were still interested in seeing him fight.
Canelo Álvarez’s Pay-Per-View Success: Despite not always holding all the belts in his division, Canelo continues to be one of the most financially successful fighters in the world.
Floyd Mayweather’s Approach: Mayweather showed that boxing is as much about the business as it is about fighting. His ability to generate massive paydays made him the richest boxer of all time.
For Joshua, his commercial appeal means that he will continue to headline massive fights, even if he is not holding a world title.
Conclusion
Even in the face of recent losses, Anthony Joshua remains a dominant financial force in boxing. Eddie Hearn’s claim is backed by Joshua’s consistent PPV success, global marketability, and ability to fill stadiums.
Boxing is not just about wins and losses—it’s about star power and the ability to captivate an audience. As long as Joshua is active, he will continue to be one of the most valuable fighters in the world, ensuring that his influence in boxing remains strong.
