Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has moved to Dubai, his uncle Adedamola Joshua has confirmed, revealing that the British-Nigerian boxing star made the relocation months ago despite the UAE facing repeated attacks from Iranian suicide drones amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“He has already moved to Dubai. He doesn’t need to inform us before making such a move, but I know he has moved a while ago, talking of months back now,” Adedamola told PUNCH Sports Extra.
Addressing safety concerns, the uncle explained that Joshua’s stay in Dubai is temporary during the current hostilities. “His staying there is on and off, and definitely, he won’t be there now,” he added.
The family confirmation follows company filings for Joshua’s £150m business empire, which now list the UAE as his country of residence. Papers for two of his companies, Sparta Promotions Limited and 258 Investments Limited, indicate the same change, according to the Daily Mail.
Dubai is a favored destination for wealthy Britons due to the absence of income tax. Under UK tax rules, individuals who spend fewer than 16 days in the country are not considered tax residents. Joshua would have been liable for UK tax on dividend payments of £10.1m in 2024 and £6.3m in 2023, while Sparta Promotions reported £20.4m in profits and paid £6.65m in UK tax in 2024.
The 36-year-old, born in Watford with Nigerian heritage from both parents, won Olympic gold in London 2012 and has frequently visited Dubai for training and promotional work, including a memorable 2017 sparring session on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Joshua’s move follows the tragic Lagos-Ibadan Expressway accident on December 29 that killed his friends, personal trainer Kevin Ayodele and recovery therapist Sina Ghami, just 10 days after his knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami. Joshua sustained minor injuries and has been undergoing rehabilitation, recently sharing rib treatment images on Snapchat.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Joshua is not yet fully ready to return to training camp, targeting a comeback in July. The boxer has also invested £1.2m in a 15,300 sq ft penthouse in Oman, considered an investment rather than a permanent residence.