ANTHONY JOSHUA has secured a basic PS33.2million to pay for tomorrow's Saudi-funded showdown against Oleksandr Usyk. This is a pay cut equivalent to PS13m.
When Andy Ruiz Jr, a world heavyweight champion in Riyadh, gave him his title back three years ago, the Watford man was astonished by PS46m.
Anthony Joshua will take a pay cut to help him regain his world heavyweight titles
Oleksandr Usyk wants to beat Joshua for the second time in less that a year
Now, AJ, who was defeated by Usyk 11 month ago, is forced to accept a smaller amount to try to get the WBA and IBF belts back from the Ukrainian fighter.
When the pair clash in Jeddah, Usyk will receive the same PS33.2m salary as the challenger.
The victor will receive a bonus based upon the pay-per view buys made on Sky Sports UK and DAZN around world.
Saudi Arabia paid nearly PS83m to get the fight rights. Fighters will split 80 percent of that amount.
The PS16.6m remaining has been used for the undercard and other expenses.
Due to the insane amount of money at the palace tables in Saudi Arabia, major fights featuring European fighters will end up being flogged to Middle East.
Wembley was packed to the rafters by a staggering 94,000 people when Tyson Fury, WBC ruler, defeated Dillian Whyte on April 23, 2003.
Even AJ wins tomorrow night, it seems unlikely that an all-English fight will take place on home soil for the undisputed heavyweight title.
AJ vs Usyk 2, confirmed fight time, TV and live streaming info for Saturday's blockbuster
Eddie Hearn, a promoter of Essex, is in talks to keep Arabia's belts open by luring Fury.
Hearn stated that this was the second major event in Saudi Arabia, and that he hopes to host more.
"Other promoters may have talked about coming here, but we are the only one who can do it.
They want more events to be held in the Kingdom, and they are looking for an event for the undisputed heavyweight title.
"They would like it be the winner of that against Fury."
