Philippines, 22 Apr 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:

  • Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
    , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Weights From Washington, PA
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
    , Sat, 19 Apr 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.