Highest Selling PPV Boxing Matches of All Times. Boxing is one of the most popular combat sports in modern times. In 1960, it introduced the pay-per-view format in the ticket system. Since then, the ticket format has evolved over the years. It also became a big part of the players’ earnings.
Floyd Patterson vs Swede Johansson was the first match to introduce PPV. Each viewer paid $2 to witness Patterson achieve the heavyweight title from the first European Championship. In modern times, Floyd Mayweather is considered the PPV king for his hyped matches with great view sales. This article compiled information on the all-time highest earning PPV of boxing fights.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manni Pacquiao
The match is titled “Fight of the Century” and “Battle for Greatness.” It was a professional boxing super-fight with six division titles on the line. The then five-division champion, Floyd Mayweather, faced eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao, on May 2, 2015, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Nevada, USA.
The level of excitement among fans for the match was through the roof. Sublimely though, the fight itself was a bit letdown for enthusiasts. Without any drama or controversy, Mayweather won the match over points. However, just the hype among fans sold 4.6 million PPV subscriptions.
PPV Details:
- PPV sold: 4.6 million
- PPV earning: $410 million
- Gate: $77.8 million
- Mayweather’s purse: $297 million
- Pacquiao’s purse: $162 million
- Total Earning: $900 million
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor
The fight is also titled “The Money Fight” and “The Biggest Fight in Combat Sports History.” It was a professional mega-fight between boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and MMA champion Conor McGregor. The bout was held on 26 August 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Nevada, USA.
Fans and critics consider Mayweather and McGregor two top-class fighters in their respective sports. As a result, their popularity and marketability alone sold around 4.3 million PPV subscriptions. McGregor gave Mayweather quite the fight that match before giving the boxing champion his 50th professional win.
PPV Details:
- PPV sold: 4.3 million
- PPV earnings: $396 million
- Gate: $58.35 million
- Mayweather’s Purse: $280 million
- McGregor’s Purse: $130 million
- Total Earning: $864 million
Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez
The super-fight of the light-middleweight division is also known as “The One.” Floyd Mayweather faced the young Canelo Alvarez on 14 September 2013 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Nevada, US. The event saw 2.2 million PPV sales and attracted around 16,000 fans to the arena. That day, the Mexican boxer faced his first career loss against Mayweather. It concluded his constructive 42 win-streak.
PPV Details:
- PPV sold: 2.2 million
- PPV earnings: $150 million
- Gate: $26.52 million
- Mayweather’s Purse: $41.5 million
- Alvarez’s Purse: $5 million
- Total Earning: $222 million
Top 10 Highest PPV Grossing Matches:
| No | Fight | Date | PPV Buys | PPV Revenue | Gate |
| 1 | Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao | 02-05-2015 | 4.6 million | $410 million | $77.85 million |
| 2 | Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor | 26-08-2017 | 4.3 million | $396 million | $58.35 million |
| 3 | Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alverez | 22-09-2013 | 2.2 million | $150 million | $26.52 million |
| 4 | Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya | 20-05-2007 | 2.48 million | $136 million | $19.8 million |
| 5 | Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis | 08-06-2002 | 1.95 million | $112 million | $18.8 million |
| 6 | Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II | 22-06-1997 | 1.99 million | $100 million | $15.38 million |
| 7 | Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley | 19-08-1995 | 1.55 million | $96 million | $12.48 million |
| 8 | Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto | 05-05-2012 | 1.5 million | $94 million | $10.3 million |
| 9 | Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. | 29-11-2020 | 1.65 million | $80.5 million | $8.52 million |
| 10 | Evander Holyfield II vs. George Foreman | 19-04-1991 | 1.45 million | $80 million | $7.56 million |
Conclusion:
Floyd Mayweather solidified his name with multiple high-class boxing bouts. The legend has already earned around $1.1 billion in his professional career. Another legend Mike Tyson also gifted fans with multiple top-quality matches. With the steady rise in boxing in recent years, fans can expect higher PPV earning matches like this. The rise in PPV will help players grow a professional career more smoothly with better payments. Keep our website on your watchlist for more interesting information like this.
People also ask What was the most PPV boxing? What fight had the most PPV buys? What is the biggest boxing event ever?
