Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been tipped to become "bigger" than one of Britain's most successful sporting stars in history following his victory over Wladimir Klitschko.
The Brit pocketed $28.3 million following his 11th round TKO victory, but joked that he'd have to dip into his winnings to settlehis $225 laundry bill.
"First off, I've got to pay my bill. It's very big," Joshua said.
His victory has caught the attention of the globe with promoter Barry Hearn predicting Joshua will rake in more than football great David Beckham, The Sun reported.
Hearn said: "He's already a wealthy man. He could easily be the first billionaire in boxing. He's still young. At 27 he has at least 10 years ahead of him in the ring and if he keeps winning the money will keep coming.
"His commercial potential outside the ring is huge, way beyond Beckham and the world's top footballers. He has a much bigger crossover in terms of potential.
"Beckham and players like him are global brands and Anthony Joshua is already up there now.
"With modern marketing techniques he could go to another level. You have to keep boxing and you have to keep winning so it's not easy but you have the platform to be something really special."
Anthony Joshua is not just a boxing sensation but a shrewd businessman. Photo / Getty
Joshua's impressive skillset doesn't end in the ring, with the 27-year-old proving he's a shrewd businessman.
He's the chief executive of his own company and has a team of accountants and lawyers to look after his deals and investments, and is brand ambassador and promoter for Jaguar Land Rover, Beats by Dr Dre, Lucozade, Lynx and Sky Sports.
Hearn, head of Joshua's promoters Matchroom, said: "Anthony Joshua looks after his own business. He's a very smart kid. We do his boxing but he has a very good team around him, which is another statement about how the modern game has changed.
"Anthony Joshua in another life could have worked in the city - he just wouldn't earn as much!"
Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko (grey shorts) in action during the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium. Photo / Getty
Joshua was worth $38 million before his fight with Klitschko, with that figure set to dramatically rise.
However, PR and marketing expert Mark Borkowski warned the heavyweight champ has a long way to go before becoming a billionaire.
"One fight doesn't make a billionaire boxer. You have got to make it in America and you have to be taken seriously by fans there," he said.
"He'd have to have a series of fights in Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden in New York - the whole shooting match."
