Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has confirmed plans to move his official residence from the United Kingdom to Dubai, according to corporate filings submitted for his business interests.
Documents filed on Friday, March 6, 2026, relating to two companies linked to the boxer: Sparta Promotions Limited and 258 Investments Limited, list his residence as the United Arab Emirates, formally indicating the relocation.
Joshua, 36, was born in Watford, England, and rose to international prominence after winning the gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 2012 London Olympics.
The change of residence comes as Dubai continues to attract high-income athletes and business figures because the emirate does not impose personal income tax.
Financial records linked to Joshua’s companies indicate significant earnings in recent years. His company Sparta Promotions reported profits of £20.396 million in 2024 and paid £6.65 million in tax in the United Kingdom.
Reports indicate that Joshua personally faced dividend tax liabilities of £10.1 million in 2024 and £6.3 million in 2023 under British tax rules.
Under the United Kingdom’s residency system, individuals who spend 183 days or more in the country are classified as tax residents. Spending fewer than 16 days in the country may allow an individual to avoid tax residency status, depending on other factors considered by HM Revenue and Customs.
Joshua’s relocation decision comes at a time when Middle East is considered a warzone following military exchanges involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Reports have indicated that parts of the United Arab Emirates have experienced drone or missile threats linked to the conflict.
Despite the situation, company filings show that Joshua proceeded with the change in residence.
The move also follows a difficult period for the boxer after a road accident in Nigeria last year claimed the lives of two close associate: his personal trainer Kevin “Latz” Ayodele and therapist Sina Ghami.
Joshua later shared images of his recovery from rib injuries and wrote on social media:
“Rehabilitation protocol. When you go thru certain things, you realise that you are stronger than you think you are.”
Joshua has frequently travelled to Dubai for training and promotional activities.
In 2017, he conducted a training session on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped luxury hotel overlooking the Persian Gulf.
He was also reported to have trained recently with former mixed martial arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during a visit to the city.
Property records further show that Joshua purchased a 15,300-square-foot penthouse worth £1.2 million in a development in Sultan Haitham City, Oman, though the apartment is believed to be an investment rather than his primary residence.
Joshua is among several prominent British figures who have chosen to relocate to Dubai in recent years.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand now lives in the city with his family. Speaking on his podcast, he described the atmosphere during recent security incidents.
“It’s frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets. I don’t know what it is… going above us, and you’re hearing big bombs, and what that is we don’t know.”
Other wealthy British figures who have moved their residence overseas include Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of Manchester United, who lives in Monaco, Stelios Haji‑Ioannou, founder of easyJet, and businessman Charlie Mullins, who resides in Marbella, Spain.
Joshua has not announced a permanent residential property in Dubai but is known to regularly train in the city’s sports facilities and maintain business operations there.
