Jake Paul’s $92 Million Payday Surpasses Dwayne Johnson’s Biggest Movie Check

Jake Paul’s latest fight may have ended in a loss, but the numbers behind his paycheck are turning heads across both the sports and entertainment worlds. On December 19, Paul faced off against Anthony Joshua in a highly anticipated bout that lasted just over 16 minutes—989 seconds, to be exact. Despite coming up short in the ring, Paul reportedly walked away with a staggering $92 million for his efforts.

Boxing Payouts Eclipse Hollywood ’s Biggest Salaries

The purse for the Paul-Joshua match totaled $184 million, split evenly between the two fighters. That means Joshua also pocketed $92 million for the night. However, Paul hinted on social media that the actual figure might have been even higher, posting,

Stop asking me. $267 Million.

What’s truly remarkable is how this single-night payout dwarfs the biggest checks ever written to Hollywood’s top stars. Dwayne Johnson, known for his blockbuster roles, earned $50 million for his work on Red One in 2023—his highest salary to date. That’s more than double what he made for Black Adam the previous year, but still far less than what Paul earned in just one fight.

Comparing Star Salaries: Hollywood vs. the Boxing Ring

Johnson isn’t alone in being outpaced by Paul’s boxing windfall. Other A-list actors have also seen massive paydays, but none quite reach the heights of Paul’s recent earnings. Tom Cruise reportedly made $75 million for Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, while Robert Downey Jr. matched that figure for Avengers: Infinity War. Sandra Bullock took home $70 million for Gravity , and Johnny Depp earned $68 million for Alice in Wonderland. Even Harrison Ford’s $65 million for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull falls short.

Paul’s own history in the ring shows a steady climb in earnings. He reportedly made $40 million from his fight with Mike Tyson, $1.2 million against Nate Robinson, $2 million facing Tyron Woodley, and $1.5 million in his bout with Anderson Silva. His match with Tommy Fury brought in $3.2 million, not counting a significant share of pay-per-view profits.

After the Fight: Paul’s Reaction and What’s Next

The fight itself drew criticism from fans, largely due to the size difference and Joshua’s experience advantage. The gap became clear as the match unfolded, with Joshua ultimately knocking Paul out in the sixth round. Afterward, Paul admitted,

I think my jaw is broken by the way. It ’s definitely broke.

He later posted a photo of his injury, writing,

Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo in 10 days.

In a post-fight interview, Paul gave credit to his opponent, saying,

Anthony’s a great fighter. I got my a*s beat, but that’s what this sport’s about. I’m going to come back and keep on winning.

He added,

[It was] a nice little a*s-whoopin’ from one of the best to ever do it. I love this s*it and I’m going to come back and get a world championship belt at some point.

As Paul looks ahead to his next challenge, fans are left to wonder who will step into the ring with him next.