How knocking out Anthony Joshua changed Daniel Dubois' life forever

British boxer Daniel Dubois cemented his place at the height of boxing in a matter of minutes as he knocked out British former two-time unified WBO, IBF, and WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Saturday 21 September 2024.

Dubois picked up a handsome £3.5m ($4.3m/€4m) purse for beating fellow Brit Joshua in an upset contest that has cemented his status as the leading man in British boxing.

Thanks to his newfound recognition, the money looks set to keep rolling in for the 27-year-old. This could mean a significant lifestyle shift is ahead for Dubois.

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Last year, the Londoner paid himself a relatively modest £55,000 ($67,000/€63,000) in income from his fight firm, T.K.O. Daniel Dubois Limited, which handles all of his fight earnings, according to The Sun. That’s less than many London-based workers such as train drivers and senior police officers, the tabloid also highlighted.

Dubois appears to be cautious with his finances, perhaps preferring to save rather than splurge. Up until his fight with Joshua, his total fight earnings amounted to £5.5m ($6.8m/€6.4m), according to The Sun.

This approach stands in stark contrast to Joshua, who is known for his more lavish lifestyle, including a fleet of luxury cars and a Bond Street home valued at £27m ($33m/€31m), according to the Manchester Evening News.

Joshua, who had dominated British boxing for nearly a decade, has amassed around £120m ($147m/€140m) in fight earnings, with an impressive £43.5m ($53m/€51m) earned in 2023 alone from three Saudi-backed fights, GiveMeSport reports.

But none of that mattered as Dubois stunned Wembley Stadium on Saturday night when he knocked out crowd favourite Joshua in the fifth round to retain his IBF heavyweight title. 

Dubois is now looking for his next opponent, which may be Oleksandr Usyk, who he lost to last year, or a rematch with Joshua, if the price is right.

"I would love a rematch [with Usyk] but either one really, whoever pays me more money," he told talkSport. "Also, if that [a rematch with Joshua] happens next then yeah. I want to go for it. I want to do even better next time."

"I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter, I want to prove people wrong every time, and that's what we have been doing."

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