Ten days after the blockbuster Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao boxing match, as expected, it has shattered all previous records. According to Showtime, which co-promoted the event along with HBO, 4.4 million U.S. homes purchased the fight, generating over $400 million in revenue from domestic pay-per-views.
When that figure is combined with additional revenue from the live gate at MGM Grand Garden Arena, international television distribution, sponsorships, closed circuit and merchandise sales, the total revenue is expected to surpass $500 million.
The previous top pay-per-view event in total number of buys also featured Mayweather, his 2007 bout against Oscar De La Hoya brought in 2.48 million. The previous high in total revenue, also a Mayweather bout against Canelo Alvarez in 2013, generated $150 million.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was distributed in 175 countries, reaching about 75 percent of the globe. So that $100 million check that Mayweather was walking around with after the May 2, 2015, fight? He should be receiving a larger one pretty soon, and the future Boxing Hall of Famer has now participated in the three highest-ordered and highest-grossing pay-per-view boxing events of all time.
With a fight that generated over $500 million, should we expect to see a sequel in the future? For now, no. Manny Pacquiao had surgery last week and needs time to recover. Also, Mayweather, after saying he would fight Pacquiao again, changed his mind. On the possibility of a rematch, Mayweather told Showtime, “at this particular time, no, because he’s a sore loser and he’s a coward … If you lost, accept the loss and say, ‘Mayweather, you were the better fighter.’ ”
Mayweather is in a position to call the shots, and will continue to do so. The Mayweather detractors will continue to criticize the multimillionaire, and he continues to laugh on his way to the bank.
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