Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has relocated his £150 million business empire from the United Kingdom to Dubai, confirming his residency in the United Arab Emirates through recent corporate filings.
The British-Nigerian boxing star, who rose to global prominence after winning Olympic gold and later becoming a two-time heavyweight champion, has taken a significant step in restructuring his business interests by shifting his base away from the United Kingdom.
According to reports by the Daily Mail, official paperwork submitted for two of Joshua’s companies, Sparta Promotions Limited and 258 Investments Limited, lists the United Arab Emirates as his current country of residence.
The filings were made as part of standard regulatory requirements in which company directors must disclose their official place of residence when submitting corporate documentation.
Joshua’s decision to relocate to Dubai reflects a growing trend among high-net-worth individuals, athletes and entrepreneurs who are moving their business operations to jurisdictions with favourable tax and financial conditions.
Dubai has become an increasingly attractive destination for wealthy global figures due to its investor-friendly environment, modern infrastructure and the absence of personal income tax.
The emirate has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading financial and business hubs, drawing international investors, business leaders and professional athletes seeking strategic global bases.
For Joshua, whose career earnings and endorsements have grown significantly over the past decade, the relocation represents a major shift in the management of his expanding commercial empire.
Financial records show that Joshua previously declared dividend payments of £10.1 million in 2024 and £6.3 million in 2023. Under the United Kingdom’s taxation framework, such dividends would typically be subject to personal income tax.
However, Dubai’s tax structure offers significant advantages for residents, particularly those with global business interests.
Joshua’s promotional company, Sparta Promotions Limited, has also experienced substantial financial growth in recent years.
Corporate filings indicate that the company recorded profits of £20.396 million in 2024 alone. During that same period, the company paid £6.65 million in corporate tax in the United Kingdom.
The move to Dubai therefore reflects both a strategic financial decision and a lifestyle shift for the former champion, who has long maintained strong ties with the Middle East.
Joshua has frequently visited Dubai over the years for training camps, promotional activities and leisure. The city’s world-class sporting facilities, luxury lifestyle and growing status as a global sports hub have made it a preferred destination for several elite athletes.
Dubai has invested heavily in sports infrastructure over the past two decades, hosting international boxing events, football tournaments and other major sporting competitions.
As a result, it has become an attractive base for professional athletes who seek high-quality training environments combined with global connectivity.
Joshua’s relocation places him among a growing list of prominent British business figures and entrepreneurs who have moved their residence outside the United Kingdom.
Among them are Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, both of whom reside in Monaco, another jurisdiction known for its favourable tax policies.
The trend highlights the increasingly global nature of modern business and wealth management, particularly for individuals whose careers and investments span multiple countries.
Joshua’s decision also reflects the broader evolution of his career beyond boxing.
While he remains one of the most recognisable names in heavyweight boxing, the British-Nigerian star has gradually expanded his focus toward business development, brand partnerships and investment ventures.
Through companies such as 258 Investments Limited, Joshua has built a diversified portfolio that includes sports promotion, brand endorsements and other commercial projects.
The company’s name, 258, reflects Joshua’s amateur boxing record of 258 wins before turning professional.
His brand has grown into a global enterprise supported by major sponsorship deals and commercial partnerships with international companies.
Despite relocating his business operations to Dubai, Joshua’s sporting legacy remains closely tied to the United Kingdom, where he built his reputation as one of the country’s most successful boxing champions.
Born in Watford to Nigerian parents, Joshua first captured global attention when he won a gold medal for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The Olympic victory launched his professional boxing career, and he quickly rose through the heavyweight ranks to become one of the most dominant fighters of his generation.
Joshua went on to win multiple heavyweight world titles, establishing himself as a major figure in modern boxing and drawing massive audiences for his fights across the world.
His bouts have regularly filled stadiums and generated significant pay-per-view revenues, cementing his status as one of the sport’s biggest commercial attractions.
The move to Dubai signals a new chapter in Joshua’s life and career, both as an athlete and as a businessman.
While he has not publicly detailed the full extent of his long-term plans, the relocation suggests a strategic shift toward building his business empire from one of the world’s fastest-growing economic hubs.
Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, confirmed that the relocation had 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 said in comments quoted by Punch Newspapers.
The relocation also comes at a time when the Middle East continues to strengthen its position as a major centre for global sport.
In recent years, countries in the region have hosted some of the world’s biggest boxing events, including high-profile heavyweight bouts and international sporting competitions.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have all invested heavily in sports promotion as part of broader economic diversification strategies.
Joshua has previously fought in the region and has maintained professional relationships with promoters and sports organisations operating in the Middle East.
While the move may mark the end of an era for Joshua’s business presence in the United Kingdom, it also signals the start of a new phase in his global career.
With Dubai now serving as the base for his £150 million business empire, the former heavyweight champion appears set to continue expanding his commercial influence beyond the boxing ring.
Follow Africa Live News for more sports stories, breaking news and exclusive reports from across Africa and the world.
Website
https://www.africalivenews.com
X (Twitter)
https://x.com/africalivenews2
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/africalivenews
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/africalivenews
