Anthony Joshua ‘approached over £150m funding in soccer membership’

Anthony Joshua has reportedly been ‘approached over a potential £150million’ investment opportunity in a former Premier League football club.

It is understood that the British heavyweight, whose company, Sparta Promotions, banked an enormous £41.3m after the 34-year-old went undefeated in 2023.

According to The Sunday Times Rich List, Joshua has a net worth of approximately £150m to £200m, having previously worked as a brand ambassador with the likes of Lucozade, Under Armour, Hugo Boss, Land Rover, and Jaguar.

Joshua has fought once in 2024, claiming a sensational second-round knockout victory against Francis Ngannou in March, banking approximately £39m before any pay-per-view sales. 

According to The Athletic, the former heavyweight champion’s representatives have now been involved in ‘exploratory talks’ over an investment into former Premier League club Watford. 

Anthony Joshua has reportedly been approached over an option to invest in a football club

The boxer is reportedly worth between £150m and £200m, having banked at least £39m from his recent fight against Francis Ngannou

His representatives state that ‘exploratory talks’ to buy a stake in the club have taken place

They claim that Watford are looking for an injection of cash and add that ‘Joshua was not involved directly in the talks’.

The Hornets are currently owned by Italian businessman Gino Pozzo, who became the club’s majority owner back in 2014. 

The north London side 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 in Watford General Hospital and grew up on Watford’s Meriden Estate, has strong links to the club but it appears he has seemingly walked away from the proposals. 

‘An investment business which has brought Anthony investment opportunities in the past was approached and held an entry-level discussion about an opportunity with Watford Football Club,’ his representatives told The Athletic. 

‘This was an initial chat without even a discussion over due diligence which so often kills these types of deals.’

Watford had approached the heavyweight boxer over a deal to invest in the football club

The north London outfit have reportedly been looking for new investment for some time

It is understood that Joshua has ‘no plans to be involved’ currently and is ‘focused on boxing’ 

The outlet also claims that his involvement could be part of a consortium investment, with Watford having recently been searching for new investment.

‘Anthony is not involved and has no plans to be involved. He is fully focused on boxing and has no time at the moment to give to new opportunities outside of his sport. He is a son of Watford and wishes them all the best,’ Joshua’s spokesperson added. 

Reports from The Athletic in January had claimed that a US firm had been in talks to purchase 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 been confirmed as yet.