Top boxing PPVs of all time: Mayweather v Pacquiao’s ‘Fight of the Century’, the infamous Holyfield v Tyson II and McGregor’s exhibition
Boxing is big money, and over the years, there have been some massive fights that have attracted millions of pay-per-view subscribers. The biggest names always get the most, with any fight involving Floyd Mayweather proving to be very popular. Mayweather’s clash with Manny Pacquiao was a blockbuster eventAFP But Mike Tyson, Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury and even Jake Paul have all achieved millions of PPV buys. And with Fury’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk coming up, you wouldn’t rule out a new record audience. But what are the biggest PPV events in boxing? talkSPORT.com investigates. 5. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II – 1.95m buys The eagerly-anticipated sequel to a fight seven months earlier, this contest went down in history as one of the most bizarre in boxing history. Billed as ‘The Sound and The Fury’, the fight would go down in history as ‘The Bite Fight’ after Tyson infamously bit off part of Holyfield’s ear. Unsurprisingly, Tyson was disqualified from the fight which meant that Holyfield came out victorious with Tyson losing his boxing licence as a result. A true moment in time, this fight will forever be remembered. The pair are now friends and business partners 4. Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez – 2.2m buys In 2013, Mayweather took on the great Mexican Canelo in a light-middleweight championship superfight in Vegas. The bout took place at a 152-pound catchweight but that didn’t stop Mayweather, who won in a 12-round majority decision to secure the 45th victory of his decorated career. Canelo has often disputed the loss and would no doubt have relished another crack at ‘Money’. Mayweather was the first man to ever beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez2013 Golden Boy 3. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr – 2.48m buys There’s a theme emerging within this list, isn’t there? Back in May 2007, Mayweather faced De La Hoya in a light-middleweight super-fight in Las Vegas, billed as ‘The World Awaits’. De La Hoya was a six-division world champion at the time while Mayweather was undefeated in 37 fights at that point in his career. That tally became 38 after this one with ‘Money’ Mayweather coming out victorious on a split decision to claim the WBC light-middleweight title. De La Hoya and Mayweather slugged it outAFP 2. Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor – 4.3m buys ‘The Money Fight’ was always going to attract big numbers as the biggest name in boxing met McGregor in Las Vegas. Taking place on August 26, 2017, the contest made it all the way to the 10th round when Mayweather secured the 50th win of his illustrious career by TKO. To say that both men made a fortune out of the fight is an understatement. And, to the surprise of many, it’s fair to say those watching on at home got their money’s worth too. Mayweather retired on top in 2017Getty 1. Floyd Mayweather Jr v Manny Pacquiao – 4.6m buys ‘The Fight of the Century’ was a genuine blockbuster between two of the biggest names in boxing history. Mayweather had won all 47 fights of his career to date while Pacquiao was renowned as a true great having established himself as a eight-division world champion. While the fight went the distance it was ‘Money’ Mayweather who came out victorious in Las Vegas by unanimous decision. While billed as one of the greatest fights ever, drama failed to truly materialise and the prevailing feeling was that the clash came years later than it should have. Mayweather made close to a billion dollars in his professional career and is still involved in amateur eventsEsther Lin/SHOWTIME
Boxing is big money, and over the years, there have been some massive fights that have attracted millions of pay-per-view subscribers.
The biggest names always get the most, with any fight involving Floyd Mayweather proving to be very popular.
But Mike Tyson, Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury and even Jake Paul have all achieved millions of PPV buys.
And with Fury’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk coming up, you wouldn’t rule out a new record audience.
But what are the biggest PPV events in boxing? talkSPORT.com investigates.
5. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II – 1.95m buys
The eagerly-anticipated sequel to a fight seven months earlier, this contest went down in history as one of the most bizarre in boxing history.
Billed as ‘The Sound and The Fury’, the fight would go down in history as ‘The Bite Fight’ after Tyson infamously bit off part of Holyfield’s ear.
Unsurprisingly, Tyson was disqualified from the fight which meant that Holyfield came out victorious with Tyson losing his boxing licence as a result.
A true moment in time, this fight will forever be remembered.
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez – 2.2m buys
In 2013, Mayweather took on the great Mexican Canelo in a light-middleweight championship superfight in Vegas.
The bout took place at a 152-pound catchweight but that didn’t stop Mayweather, who won in a 12-round majority decision to secure the 45th victory of his decorated career.
Canelo has often disputed the loss and would no doubt have relished another crack at ‘Money’.
3. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr – 2.48m buys
There’s a theme emerging within this list, isn’t there?
Back in May 2007, Mayweather faced De La Hoya in a light-middleweight super-fight in Las Vegas, billed as ‘The World Awaits’.
De La Hoya was a six-division world champion at the time while Mayweather was undefeated in 37 fights at that point in his career.
That tally became 38 after this one with ‘Money’ Mayweather coming out victorious on a split decision to claim the WBC light-middleweight title.
2. Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor – 4.3m buys
‘The Money Fight’ was always going to attract big numbers as the biggest name in boxing met McGregor in Las Vegas.
Taking place on August 26, 2017, the contest made it all the way to the 10th round when Mayweather secured the 50th win of his illustrious career by TKO.
To say that both men made a fortune out of the fight is an understatement.
And, to the surprise of many, it’s fair to say those watching on at home got their money’s worth too.
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr v Manny Pacquiao – 4.6m buys
‘The Fight of the Century’ was a genuine blockbuster between two of the biggest names in boxing history.
Mayweather had won all 47 fights of his career to date while Pacquiao was renowned as a true great having established himself as a eight-division world champion.
While the fight went the distance it was ‘Money’ Mayweather who came out victorious in Las Vegas by unanimous decision.
While billed as one of the greatest fights ever, drama failed to truly materialise and the prevailing feeling was that the clash came years later than it should have.
