Tyson Fury’s $76 million payday knocked out by taxman: Who’s the real heavyweight champion here?

British heavyweight Tyson Fury is about to see a substantial reduction in earnings for his rematch against world champion Oleksandr Usyk. Financial details reveal that Fury’s initial earnings of $76.1 million from the fight will be almost halved due to mandatory tax and National Insurance deductions imposed by the United Kingdom.

In the rematch, part of a lucrative $190 million prize pool, Oleksandr Usyk, the current WBA, WBC and WBO champion, will receive 60% of the total prize pool, which is equivalent to approximately $114 million. On the contrary, Tyson Fury’s participation stands at 40%, amounting to 76.1 million dollars. However, this figure is significantly affected by UK tax obligations. According to projections from bookmaker Jeff Bet, Fury is expected to remit £28.19 million ($35.7 million) in taxes. This includes £26.99 million in income tax and £1.2 million in National Insurance contributions, ultimately leaving him with approximately £31.81 million ($40.3 million).

Data provider jeff beth emphasized the inevitability of these tax liabilities for UK residents who earn substantial income overseas. He said: “If you are a UK resident, you have to pay tax on foreign earnings in the same way, and that remains the same no matter how much someone earns. “Good tax advice is always important and in this case you can be assured that the Fury group will have sought a deal that would be the most beneficial.”

Despite the significant tax burden, Fury’s earnings remain substantial. In their initial fight in May 2024, Fury earned $103 million from a 70% stake of a $147 million purse, while Usyk received $44.4 million from his 30% stake. Fury’s strong brand recognition and marketability have positioned him as a leading figure in the heavyweight division.