Contrary to bettors claiming that boxing fans are fed up with Mayweather’s boring and less entertaining fights as shown in his rematch with Marcos Maidana last weekend, there would still be a good number who will buy his last remaining fights.
But the number will likely be smaller compared to his previous fights and it may continue to decline unless Mayweather do something drastic to please his fans and supporters. Mayweather’s loyal fans are expected to stick with him until his retirement day but they are few and many are getting bored as well. The bulk of his future crowd would comprise people or boxing fans who want to see him lose a fight and the number won’t be substantial either. The combined number of his die-hard and passionate fans who will buy his fight won’t be enough to keep his future matches financially viable. Bettors in Las Vegas have noticed Mayweather’s dwindling number of supporters starting off with his first fight against Maidana which reportedly failed to hit a million mark. Mayweather was averaging more than a million pay-per-view (PPV) buys prior to the Maidana fight. Mayweather’s decision to sell a rematch fight to the public against Maidana did not sit well with the fans despite massive promotions prior to the fight. Fans claimed the fight wasn’t competitive with the reported dismal number of PPV buys which the Mayweather camp failed to announce officially. Seemingly, Mayweather knew that a rematch with Maidana was a sure-win fight for him knowing the Argentine’s style and capability from their first fight. As expected Mayweather won the second fight but fans were unhappy with some observers theorizing that the fight was rigged to assure Mayweather of a win in order to preserve his unbeaten career record. ESPN quoted Jay Rood, vice president of race and sports books for MGM saying “the rematch attracted less than 50 percent of the betting action that Mayweather’s fight with Canelo Alvarez drew in September 2013.” “He’s a draw, but it’s not translating to the betting window,” Rood added. Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading at William Hill said, “No big bets; no accumulation of small bets on the underdog. No interest,” Floyd?s not the most popular guy,? ?His fights aren’t really exciting. People are tired of it.? Bogdanovich said. USA Today writes: “The Mayweather show has grown stale, and there?s no better indication of the waning interest in his fights than at the casinos around Las Vegas.” Indeed, the public seems to be getting tired of the Mayweather repetitive selling pitch and it’s about time he changes his marketing approach in order to win back the millions of fans and supporters who made him the highest-paid athlete in the world. Still, a good marketing plan will fail unless he risks his unblemished career record against challengers who are competitive and not hand-picked to be assured of a win.
