Billion-dollar beefcake
JOSH IS IN THE DOSH
BOXER Anthony Joshua is set to become Britain’s first sporting billionaire if he beats Wladimir Klitschko tonight.
BOXER Anthony Joshua is set to become Britain’s first sporting billionaire should he win tonight’s heavyweight blockbuster.
The IBF champion, who is favourite to beat Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium, will pocket a fortune if his hand is raised.
Joshua, 27, is already guaranteed a £15million purse, while ticket sales have topped £8m. And more than a million Brits are expected to watch at home on pay-per-view, with many more squeezing into pubs to see the fight for the IBF and WBA belts.
Experts say if Joshua wins the bout – the richest in British boxing history – and goes on to take out more opponents, he will land endorsements that send his earnings rocketing. They believe his fortune could rival that of American basketball legend Michael Jordan, who is said to be worth a staggering $1billion dollars (£800m).
Brand guru Marcel Knobil said: “He’s going to seduce a good number of brands who will invest in him.
“Joshua has an heroic image but his personality is sponsorship bait. Boxing is such a magnificent platform for building a brand. He’s such an engaging and compelling individual. He has so many assets. He will do phenomenally well.”
The 2012 Olympic gold medal winner, who has won all 18 of his professional fights, is already backed by many major brands including Under Armour, Sky Sports, Beats, Lucozade and Jaguar.
Mr Knobil claimed that with the right guidance, Joshua could even eclipse Brand Beckham. He said: “You can’t put them in their league yet because he hasn’t had the success. But tonight’s fight is the gateway.”
Klitschko, 41, is looking to return to winning ways after his shock defeat by another British fighter, Tyson Fury, in November 2015.
At yesterday’s weigh-in, Joshua tipped the scales at a career heaviest 17st 12lb, 10lb heavier than Klitschko’s 17st 2lb.
Afterwards the two men stared each other down before double fist bumping.
Klitschko, for once the underdog, chose not to speak but Joshua said: “I don’t hate Klitschko, I don’t dislike Klitschko, I want to beat Klitschko.
“It’s a boxing match, I’m competitive and that’s all it is.”
Bookies are predicting £20m will be staked, second only to the amount wagered when Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao two years ago. One punter put £18,000 on Joshua to win at odds of 8/11.