- Anthony Joshua’s representatives confirmed ‘exploratory talks’ on Thursday
- The heavyweight boxer is reported to be worth between £150 million and £200 million.
- The boxer earned more than £39 million after his fight with Francis Ngannou.
Anthony Joshua has reportedly been “approached by a potential £150m investment opportunity” at a former Premier League football club.
The British heavyweight, whose company, Sparta Promotions, raked in a huge £41.3million after the 34-year-old went unbeaten in 2023, is understood to have.
According The Sunday Times Rich ListJoshua has a net worth of approximately £150 million to £200 million, and previously worked as a brand ambassador with companies such as Lucozade, Under Armour, Hugo Boss, Land Rover and Jaguar.
Joshua fought once in 2024, scoring a sensational second-round knockout victory against Francis Ngannou in March, raking in approximately £39m before any PPV sales.
According The AthleticRepresentatives of the former heavyweight champion have been involved in “exploratory talks” over an investment in former Premier League club Watford.
Anthony Joshua has reportedly been approached about the option of investing in a football club.
The boxer is reported to be worth between £150 and £200 million, having raked in at least £39 million from his recent fight against Francis Ngannou.
Their representatives claim that there have been ‘exploratory talks’ to buy a stake in the club.
They claim that Watford are looking for a cash injection and add that “Joshua was not directly involved in the talks.”
The Hornets are currently owned by Italian businessman Gino Pozzo, who became the club’s majority owner in 2014.
The north London team finished 15th in the Championship this season, having been relegated to the Championship following the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
Joshua, who was born at Watford General Hospital and grew up on Watford’s Meriden Estate, has strong links with the club but appears to have walked away from the proposals.
“An investment business that had provided Anthony with investment opportunities in the past was contacted and an entry level discussion was held regarding an opportunity with Watford Football Club,” his representatives told The Athletic.
“This was an initial conversation without even a discussion of the due diligence that so often kills these types of deals.”
Watford had approached the heavyweight boxer to agree a deal to buy a stake in the club.
The north London team has reportedly been looking for new investments for some time
The Hornets are currently owned by Italian businessman Gino Pozzo (pictured), who took over in 2014.
It is understood Joshua (left) has “no plans to get involved” at the moment and is “focused on boxing”.
The outlet also claims that their involvement could be part of a consortium investment, as Watford have recently been seeking new investment.
‘Anthony is not involved and has no plans to get involved. He is completely focused on boxing and does not have time at the moment to take advantage of new opportunities outside of his sport. He is Watford’s son and he wishes them all the best,” added Joshua’s spokesperson.
Reports of The Athletic In January he had claimed that an American company had been in talks to buy a stake in the club.
There is talk that Joshua could return to the ring later this year to face the winner of Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic, but no fight has yet been confirmed.