Jake Paul set for higher net payout than Anthony Joshua after Netflix bout

Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are both set to earn approximately Sh12 billion ($93 million) each from their high-profile fight on Saturday night, making it one of the most lucrative bouts in recent boxing history.

According to the Daily Mail, the massive payday was generated from the total earnings of their six-round clash at Miami's Kaseya Center, which the two fighters agreed to split evenly. However, despite the equal split on paper, the amount each fighter ultimately takes home will differ significantly due to tax obligations.

Joshua, a resident of the United Kingdom, is expected to lose a substantial portion of his purse to taxation. Yahoo reports that about 37 per cent of his earnings will go to the US Internal Revenue Service, even though Florida does not impose a state income tax. In addition, the former heavyweight champion will also be liable for taxes in the UK, further reducing his net earnings.

Paul, by contrast, is positioned more favourably. As a US resident competing in Florida, he benefits from the state's lack of income tax and will therefore retain a much larger share of his earnings. Despite losing the bout, Paul is expected to walk away with a significantly higher net payout than Joshua once all deductions are applied.

The fight, which was streamed live on Netflix, ended in a sixth-round knockout victory for Joshua. Speaking after the bout, Joshua praised Paul's resilience and determination.

"Jake Paul has done really well tonight, I want to give him his props. He got up, time and time again. It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way through," Joshua said in his postgame interview, per the Daily Mail. "You have to give Jake his respect for trying, trying and trying. But he came up against a real fighter tonight that's had a 15-month lay-off."

Joshua also reflected on his own performance, admitting that the contest did not unfold exactly as he had hoped, despite the decisive outcome.

"It wasn't the best performance," he said. "The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him. That has been the request and that was on my mind. Took a bit longer than expected but the right hand found the destination."