A viral story claims that Anthony Joshua was offered an astonishing $2 billion in cash, plus hundreds of millions more for future fights in Saudi Arabia, including plans to build an 80,000-seat arena named after him.
Such a rumour follows after an earlier dramatic promise that Saudi Arabia would “always honor” him, still many might argue that exactly this idea sounds too cinematic - because it is.
There’s no verified confirmation that such a deal, ceremony, or stadium naming has taken place, but the rumor mixes in pieces of reality, which is why it spreads easily.
What has roots in reality?
No one argues that Saudi Arabia has reshaped the boxing landscape in recent years, because it is evident. Massive cards, superstar matchups, and record-breaking purses have shifted global attention toward Riyadh and in this story Anthony Joshua has fought there multiple times and remained a key attraction embracing the platform as part of his comeback narrative.
High-stakes negotiations, big financial packages, and long-term event planning are genuinely happening, and here Joshua’s presence only strengthens Saudi fight cards and the kingdom’s goal of becoming a premier boxing hub.
What doesn’t hold up
- No credible reporting confirms a $2 billion payout
- No proof of guaranteed future payments on the scale described
- No stadium-naming announcement exists
- There’s no documented involvement of Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud in Joshua’s boxing business
So one might wonder - why people believe it and stories like this go viral?
People love stories, and the narrative here works because it blends:
- Real money flowing into top-level boxing
- Saudi Arabia’s push to host the biggest events
- Joshua’s effort to rebuild his career after unexpected losses
- Dramatic storytelling about loyalty and honour
Put together, it feels believable — even when the numbers and scenes are exaggerated.
What actually matters going forward
Saudi Arabia is still pushing hard to host the biggest fights in the sport, and Joshua is a key part of those plans.
He’s chasing major opponents and looking for fights that could shape the rest of his career. Still, the talk about $2-billion payouts, emotional speeches, and a stadium named after him hasn’t been backed up by any solid proof, making that stuff look more like hype than reality.
Image Credit: The Ring