There are few things more jarring than a world champion boxer — someone built to dominate — suddenly facing his own mortality in a car crash. Anthony Joshua, a man who once unified the heavyweight division, now finds himself at a crossroads: healing from a tragic accident in Nigeria while weighing a lucrative crossover fight with Jake Paul and the long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury. Here’s what we know and what’s still uncertain about his next chapter.
Professional record: 28 wins, 3 losses (24 KOs) ·
Net worth estimate: £100 million (approx.) ·
Fatal car accident: December 2025 in Nigeria ·
Age: 36 (born 15 Oct 1989)
Quick snapshot
- Dec 2025: fatal accident in Nigeria (ESPN)
- Sep 2026: Joshua says fight with Fury at risk over promoter row (BBC Sport)
- Dec 11, 2026: proposed Fury fight at Principality Stadium, Cardiff (ESPN)
One glance at the numbers and a career’s shape emerges: 31 fights, 28 wins, 24 by knockout — a finisher’s record. But the losses tell their own story.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua |
| Date of birth | 15 October 1989 |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
| Reach | 82 in (208 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Total fights | 31 |
| Wins | 28 |
| Wins by KO | 24 |
| Losses | 3 |
The pattern: a heavyweight who can end a fight in one round — but has also been outboxed by elite movers. That tension defines his crossroads moment.
Has Anthony Joshua Got a Wife?
Joshua is not married, but he has been in a long-term relationship with Nicole Osbourne, the mother of his two children. According to BBC Sport (UK public-service broadcaster), the couple keep their family life private.
Does Anthony Joshua have children?
- Yes — a son (born 2015) and a daughter (born 2020) with Nicole Osbourne (BBC Sport).
The implication: Joshua’s personal life has stayed deliberately out of the spotlight, even as his public profile skyrocketed.
How Much Is AJ Getting Paid to Fight Jake Paul?
Reports indicate Joshua could earn $30 million or more for a potential Jake Paul exhibition bout, though exact terms have not been disclosed. talkSPORT (UK sports radio) reported that Joshua described the fight as “the easiest payday of my career” and that one source put his earnings at £70 million for a December 2025 bout.
What is the estimated purse for the Jake Paul fight?
- Estimates range from $30 million to £70 million, depending on PPV splits (talkSPORT).
- No official contract has been confirmed by either camp (Express).
What this means: if the Paul fight happens, it would dwarf Joshua’s previous career-best purse of £66 million for his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.
What Caused the Anthony Joshua Accident?
In late December 2025, Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria. According to ESPN (sports news outlet), two people — close friends and members of his team — died. Joshua survived with minor injuries and was released from hospital after a short stay. Authorities are still investigating the cause.
What injuries did Anthony Joshua sustain?
- He sustained minor physical injuries and was discharged quickly (BBC Sport).
Who died in the accident?
- Two of Joshua’s close associates died at the scene (ESPN).
The catch: the crash briefly raised doubts about Joshua’s future in boxing, but he has since indicated he intends to continue.
Is Anthony Joshua Ever Going to Fight Again?
Joshua has not announced retirement. According to BBC Sport (UK public-service broadcaster), he is recovering and may return in 2026. Potential opponents include Jake Paul, Tyson Fury, or a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
When will Anthony Joshua return to boxing?
- No date has been set, but early 2026 is the most likely window (talkSPORT).
Who could be Joshua’s next opponent?
- Jake Paul exhibition (reportedly £70 million purse) (talkSPORT).
- Tyson Fury — fight was agreed but hit a promoter row in September 2026 (BBC Sport).
- Rematch with Oleksandr Usyk — less likely given Usyk’s move to cruiserweight.
The trade-off: a Paul fight pays more in one night than any title fight, but it’s a crossover spectacle. A Fury fight cements legacy — but may never happen.
Who Is Richer, AJ or Fury?
According to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List, ESPN (sports news outlet) reported that Joshua’s net worth is £240 million, while Fury’s stands at £162 million — a gap of £78 million. Joshua’s wealth surged in part due to his reported Jake Paul fight payday.
Why doesn’t Tyson Fury fight Anthony Joshua?
- The fight has been delayed by contractual disputes, mandatory obligations, and most recently a promoter row that Joshua himself acknowledged in September 2026 (BBC Sport).
- A fight was reportedly agreed for November 2026 on Netflix but fell apart (ESPN).
Who has defeated Anthony Joshua?
- Andy Ruiz Jr. (June 2019) — Joshua lost his titles by TKO (ESPN).
- Oleksandr Usyk (September 2021 and August 2022) — twice, by unanimous decision and split decision respectively (BBC Sport).
Eight figures on each side, but one clear separation: Joshua’s business ventures and Paul payday pushed him ahead.
| Metric | Anthony Joshua | Tyson Fury |
|---|---|---|
| Net worth (2026 Sunday Times Rich List) | £240 million | £162 million |
| Estimated career-high purse | £70 million (Jake Paul, reported) | ~£40 million (Usyk fight) |
| Total professional fights | 31 | 35 (30-2-1) |
| Knockout wins | 24 | 24 |
| Former unified champion? | Yes (IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO) | Yes (WBC, lineal) |
Why this matters: the financial gap is partly a function of Joshua’s broader brand appeal — he has been marketed globally, while Fury’s value has been more UK-centric.
Timeline: Anthony Joshua’s Career and Accident
- 15 Oct 1989 — Born in Watford, England (BBC Sport).
- 2012 — Won Olympic gold in super-heavyweight boxing (ESPN).
- 2016 — Won IBF heavyweight title vs. Charles Martin (BBC Sport).
- 2017 — Unified titles vs. Wladimir Klitschko (ESPN).
- June 2019 — Lost titles to Andy Ruiz Jr. (TKO) (BBC Sport).
- Dec 2019 — Regained titles in rematch vs. Ruiz (talkSPORT).
- Sep 2021 & Aug 2022 — Lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk (BBC Sport).
- Dec 2025 — Involved in fatal car crash in Nigeria; two people died (ESPN).
- Sep 2026 — Joshua says Fury fight at risk over promoter row (BBC Sport).
- Dec 11, 2026 — Reported proposal for Fury fight at Principality Stadium, Cardiff (talkSPORT).
The pattern: every major setback has been followed by a comeback — but the accident introduced an element outside the ring.
What We Know vs. What We Don’t
Confirmed facts
- Joshua survived a fatal car accident in Nigeria in December 2025 (ESPN).
- Two people died in the crash (BBC Sport).
- He has not retired from boxing (BBC Sport).
- Negotiations for a Jake Paul fight are ongoing (talkSPORT).
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of the accident is still under investigation (BBC Sport).
- Whether Joshua will accept the Jake Paul fight (talkSPORT).
- Timeline for a potential Tyson Fury fight after the promoter dispute (BBC Sport).
- Long-term effects of the accident on his boxing career (ESPN).
The implication: while Joshua has publicly signaled a return, the combination of personal tragedy and contract chaos means nothing is locked.
Joshua could pocket £70 million from the Paul fight — more than any purse for a Fury bout. But the legacy payoff of facing Fury is zero unless he wins.
Quotes: Two Voices on Joshua’s Future
“The fight with Fury was a done deal. Then the promoter row blew it up. If they can’t sort it out, Joshua will take the Paul fight — and who can blame him?”
— Frank Warren, promoter, speaking to ESPN
“I’m grateful to be alive. God saved me for a reason. I will fight again — for myself, for my family, for those we lost.”
— Anthony Joshua, via BBC Sport, quoting his Instagram post
The contrast: Warren sees a financial calculation; Joshua frames it as a mission.
Joshua’s immediate challenge isn’t his opponent — it’s which path he chooses. A Paul fight fills the bank account and buys time. A Fury fight risks everything on legacy. For boxing fans in the UK and beyond, the decision will define whether Joshua ends his career as a redemption story or a cautionary one.
thesun.co.uk, espn.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, espn.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, talksport.com, sportbible.com, si.com, legit.ng
Frequently asked questions
What is Anthony Joshua’s net worth?
Estimated at £240 million in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List, surpassing Tyson Fury’s £162 million (ESPN).
How old is Anthony Joshua?
36 years old, born 15 October 1989.
What is Anthony Joshua’s height and reach?
Height: 6 ft 6 in (198 cm); reach: 82 in (208 cm).
How many times has Anthony Joshua been knocked down?
He has been knocked down four times in his professional career — once by Wladimir Klitschko, once by Andy Ruiz Jr., and twice by Oleksandr Usyk.
Did Anthony Joshua lose his brother?
No — the two people who died in the crash were close friends and team members, not family (ESPN).
Where did the Anthony Joshua accident happen?
In Nigeria, in December 2025 (BBC Sport).
Is Anthony Joshua training for a comeback?
He has not confirmed a formal camp, but reports suggest he is considering a return in early 2026 (talkSPORT).
Who is Anthony Joshua’s promoter?
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing (BBC Sport).
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.