Pay-per-view buys have been the gold standard for measuring the success of boxing matches ever since fights transitioned from local events to international spectacles. The pay-per-view model has made many boxers fortunes, turning them into some of the highest-paid athletes in boxing history.
Boxing’s modern revenue structure has faced its share of criticism. Some say it leads to fans who can’t afford the high prices required to view major events being priced out of the sport, particularly when you factor in that some promotions have also incorporated subscription-based models to give fans access to most of their fights.
Supporters of the pay-per-view model say it gives promoters the financial muscle to make the biggest stars in the sport sign on the dotted line to give fans the fights they want. You can argue that fights like Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao would never have materialized without the immense pay-per-view money both pugilists knew would come in.
The Highest Revenue-Generating Pay-Per-View Fights In Boxing History
Ready to find out what the top-selling fights in boxing history are? Let’s dive into our list:
1) Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao (2015) – 4.6 Million Buys
Dubbed “the fight of the century,” Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was arguably the most anticipated fight in boxing history. Both men emerged as the two most prominent names in boxing at the start of the 21st century, and fans begged Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, and Mayweather’s manager, Leonard Ellerbe, to make the fight happen for over a decade.
There was no question it was one of the best matchups available on paper, given Mayweather’s technical prowess and Pacquaio’s unrelenting aggression. However, whenever it looked like a deal was close to being signed, something always came up to derail it.
Fortunately for both fighters, interest in their super fight was still high when they finally shared a ring in 2015. It shattered all previous PPV records, bringing in an impressive 4.6 million buys and generating over $500 million in total revenue.
While some critics were disappointed in how the fight played out because it turned out to be a technical chess match instead of the slugfest some fans were hoping for, it remains the top-selling fight in boxing history almost a decade later.
2) Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor (2017) – 4.3 Million Buys
Conor McGregor was at the peak of his career when he talked himself into a super-fight against Mayweather. Mayweather blew him off initially, but he eventually realized how big of a star McGregor was and decided it was an excellent opportunity to earn another colossal payday.
Many hardcore boxing fans and analysts criticized the matchup at first, given McGregor would be making his professional debut when the two squared up inside the ring.
Ironically, Mayweather vs. McGregor was arguably more entertaining than his super-fight against Pacquiao, from the hilarious pre-fight press conferences to Mayweather’s unusual aggression inside the ring.
Known for typically picking opponents apart from the outside with his superior technique, Mayweather used a brawling style against McGregor, showing no respect for his power. This led to an engaging matchup until Mayweather got tired of playing with his food and stopped McGregor in the tenth round.
Despite the mismatch of skills, Mayweather vs. McGregor drew over 4.3 million PPV buys, making it the second-highest-selling fight in boxing history. The event was more about Mayweather and McGregor’s personalities, but it provided enough entertainment and hype to bring in record numbers during its buildup.
3) Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (2007) – 2.4 Million Buys
This fight marks Mayweather’s transition from “Pretty Boy Floyd” to “Money Mayweather.” Oscar De La Hoya was the biggest name in boxing then, and the fight was Mayweather’s first opportunity to make himself a household name. The matchup also represented the passing of the torch from one generation of boxers to another.
Money Mayweather was at his best heading into this contest, entertaining fight fans with the verbal jabs he threw at Oscar during the buildup. Oscar appeared overwhelmed by Mayweather’s trash talk, and he promised to punish him inside the ring.
There was also the drama of Floyd Mayweather Sr. being De La Hoya’s boxing coach when the fight was announced. Oscar swapped Mayweather Sr. with Freddy Roach for his camp to avoid dealing with the conflict of interest.
The fight was entertaining, with Mayweather winning De La Hoya by 207 to 122 despite the latter throwing over 100 punches more. Two judges gave Mayweather the nod when it was all said and done, and “Money” became the biggest name in boxing.
4) Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Canelo Álvarez (2013) – 2.2 Million Buys
Mayweather handed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez his first loss as a pro boxer when the two shared the ring in 2013. It was meant to be another passing of the torch moment as Canelo had already emerged as one of the brightest young stars in boxing, but Mayweather decided to put on a boxing clinic instead.
It turned out Canelo wasn’t experienced enough to compete with Mayweather then, with the latter easily edging out the rounds. There was some controversy at the end, as one judge suspiciously scored the fight a draw, but the other two gave Mayweather the nod. The fight did pretty well numbers-wise, bringing in 2.2 million pay-per-view buys.
5) KSI vs. Logan Paul II (2019) – 2.0 Million Buys
KSI and Logan Paul sent a clear message to the boxing world that influencers can sell pay-per-views as well as many of the best boxers ever, regardless of any deficiencies in boxing skills.
The first fight between the two set the stage for their rematch, bringing in over $2 million in pay-per-view buys. The young audience it brought into the boxing world made the fight stand out more than its PPV success. It made it clear that a new era of boxing had begun.
Influencer boxing has gained momentum since KSI and Paul paved the way, and the two have now become business partners as Logan focuses on his wrestling career while KSI continues to build his boxing record.
6) Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II (1997) – 1.99 Million Buys
The rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield after the latter dethroned the former by pulling off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history led to one of the most bizarre endings in sports history.
It was the top-selling fight in boxing history for a decade until Mayweather vs. De La Hoya broke the records it set. The fight remains one of the most discussed events in boxing history, as it ended after Tyson repeatedly bit Holyfield’s ear. Tyson was disqualified for his actions and banned from boxing for life. That ruling was eventually overturned, allowing Tyson to work his way to his final title fight against Lennox Lewis.
Tyson also has the honor of being one-half of the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth top-selling fights in boxing history when he squared off against Lennox Lewis, Peter McNeely, Holyfield I, and Roy Jones Jr., respectively. Both men were way past their primes when Tyson vs. Jones Jr. was announced, but the legend of their names was enough to make it one of the top-selling fights in the sport’s history.
Give These History-Making Fights A Watch
There are countless lessons for aspiring boxers to learn from the fights listed above, from their marketing to the memorable performances of participants under what must have felt like the weight of the entire world. Give them all a watch if you haven’t already.
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