Why Anthony Joshua exits UK, relocates N280bn business empire to Dubai
The 36-year-old boxer confirmed in corporate filings that he is now resident in the UAE, marking a significant move away from the UK, where he built both his boxing career and business interests.
According to reports by the Daily Mail, paperwork submitted for two of Joshua’s companies, Sparta Promotions Limited and 258 Investments Limited, now lists the UAE as his official country of residence.
The filings are part of regulatory requirements in which company directors must disclose their place of residence.
Tax and business considerations
Dubai has become a popular destination for wealthy athletes and entrepreneurs due to its favourable tax environment, including the absence of personal income tax.
Joshua previously declared dividend payments of £10.1 million in 2024 and £6.3 million in 2023, which would normally be subject to UK tax.
His promotional company, Sparta Promotions, also recorded profits of £20.396 million in 2024 and paid £6.65 million in UK corporate tax during the same period.
Longstanding Dubai ties
Anthony Joshua has long maintained close ties with Dubai, frequently visiting the city for training camps, holidays and promotional work with brands he represents.
The emirate’s elite sporting infrastructure has made it a preferred base for several international athletes.
The move places him among a growing list of wealthy British figures who have relocated overseas, including Jim Ratcliffe, owner of Manchester United, and Stelios Haji‑Ioannou, founder of easyJet, both of whom reside in Monaco.
Family confirmation
Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, confirmed that the move had already taken place months earlier.
“He has already moved to Dubai. He doesn’t need to inform us before making such a move, but I know he moved a while ago, talking of months back now,” he was quoted as saying by Punch Newspapers.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, rose to global prominence after winning gold for the Great Britain Olympic Boxing Team at the 2012 London Olympics before becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion.
His relocation comes despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including security concerns linked to the broader regional conflict involving Iran.
The move marks the end of an era for the British-Nigerian icon in the UK, as he pivots his focus toward a new chapter in the Middle East.
