Philippines, 28 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BIGGEST PAY-PER-VIEW DRAWS IN BOXING


PhilBoxing.com




Pay-per-view (PPV) is the scheme by which television spectators can pay for events to be seen on TV for the private live telecast of the event in the convenience of their homes. The first major pay-per-view event took place on September 16, 1981, when Sugar Ray Leonard fought Thomas "Hitman" Hearns for the world welterweight championship.

However, the term "pay-per-view" was not popularly used until the 1990s, when companies like IN DEMAND, HBO, and Showtime started using the system to show movies and some of their productions.

In boxing, the leading PPV seller is Oscar De La Hoya, who has sold 14.1 million units total, giving $696 million in television receipts. Second is Mike Tyson, with 12.4 million units ($545 million). In third place is Evander Holyfield, with 12.6 million units ($543 million).

The top ten biggest pay-per-view draws in boxing history:

No. 1. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather, May 2007 - 2.4 million PPV buys

Promoted by De La Hoya's Golden Boy Productions, it was an HBO box-office hit. De La Hoya makes $23 million, more than twice Mayweather's catch, despite losing the fight.

No. 2. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson (rematch), June 1997 - 1.99 million PPV buys

Millions watched Tyson if he can win back the heavyweight crown he lost to Holyfield the previous year. But, they saw one of the weirdest fights in history: Tyson is disqualified for biting Holyfield's left ear. Tyson's career plunged rapidly after the fight.

No. 3. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson, June 2002 - 1.97 million PPV buys

The 35-year-old Tyson took one last attempt at regaining his championship belt. But Lewis disposed him with an eighth-round knockout.

No. 4. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson (first match), November 1996 - 1.59 million PPV buys

Holyfield?s career was thought to be dwindling at age 34. But he takes the WBC title aggressively that Tyson was always on the defensive before tiring out. The fight was stopped in the 11th round.

No. 5. Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley, August 1995 - 1.55 million PPV buys

Tyson's return after a three-year prison term for rape draws a big curiosity. But he knocked out journeyman McNeeley in just 89 seconds.

No. 6 (tie). Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad, September 1999 - 1.4 million PPV buys

The biggest-selling non-heavyweight fight in history before the De La Hoya- Mayweather fight came. Trinidad won the welterweight title by coming out a close majority decision.

No. 6 (tie). George Foreman vs. Evander Holyfield, April 1991 - 1.4 million PPV buys

Holyfield won the heavyweight crown from James "Buster" Douglas, who won it with a shocking win over Tyson. Holyfield took a unanimous decision against Foreman, a 42-year-old former champion. But Foreman finished the fight and went the distance against the younger champion.

No. 8. Mike Tyson vs. Frank Bruno, March 1996 - 1.37 million PPV buys

Tyson regains the WBC crown stopping Bruno by a third-round knockout.


No. 9 (tie). Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar de la Hoya, December 6, 2008 ? 1.25 million PPV buys

De La Hoya was pummeled by Pacquiao en route to a possible career-ending eighth-round TKO loss. It is a monstrous total in a tough economy and makes the fight the third biggest-selling non-heavyweight fight in history.

No. 9 (tie). Mike Tyson vs. Razor Ruddock (rematch), June 1991 - 1.25 million PPV buys

Their first bout was controversial, which is a technical knockout win for Tyson, with referee Richard Steele blamed for ending the bout prematurely. In the rematch, Tyson easily defeated Ruddock in a 12-round decision.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Kittipayak is new WBF World heavyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • NBA Daily: Spurs Dominate Raptors 121-103
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • National Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. rules Moonroast chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • VISOLI HEADLINES DECEMBER 17 FESTIVE FIGHT NIGHT IN LONDON FEATURING AYTON, BEVAN, MITCHELL AND MORE AS HEDGES COLLIDES WITH ZORRO FOR ENGLISH TITLE – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • Filipino Fighters Unite for Pacquiao’s “Thrilla in Manila” 50th Anniversary Celebration
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao joins International Boxing Association as Vice President
    , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • “THE BLACK HULK” BILAL SEIDU CHASING CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY IN THUNDERDOME 52 MAIN EVENT REMATCH
    , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • GM Joey remains on top
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • Gensan boxers waxed hot
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Oct 2025
  • NBA Daily: Spurs Fil-Am Rookie Dylan Harper Sparks Spurs Win Over Nets 118-107
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 27 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 22: JOE FRAZIER AFTER THRILLA
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 27 Oct 2025
  • The Century Man: Jake Pollard and the Art of Losing Well
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 27 Oct 2025
  • Taduran Dominates Balunan to Retain IBF Minimumweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Oct 2025
  • GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 26 Oct 2025
  • Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • 30 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • RomyMac’s Ali memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.