Deontay Wilder has given the reason he thinks his pay per view numbers have been on the low side recently.
Wilder’s return to the ring against Robert Helenius reportedly received just 75,000 pay-per-view buys in the United States.
The figure represents a career-lowest PPV buy rate for Wilder whose previous low came in November 2019 when he fought Luis Ortiz in a rematch that saw 225,000 households tuning in.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV at David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant this weekend, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ blamed the low numbers on the rise of illegal streaming in recent years.
“We can’t do numbers if everybody is pirating the pay per views or streaming them. That’s why the numbers are so down, and are going to stay down – because everybody is stealing them.”
“Fighters work very hard, and risk their lives for other’s entertainment. So let’s get some respect, let’s watch these fights and pay for the pay per views.”
“If you can’t pay for it alone, then double up. Let’s team up with our money and come together.”
Wilder’s next fight was expected to be against PBC stablemate Andy Ruiz Jr, after the pair had been ordered to lock horns in a final eliminator for the WBC world heavyweight title.
However, talks between the two camps have stalled and Wilder has been recently linked to a blockbuster fight with unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in the Middle East.
Negotiations for an undisputed clash between Usyk and former Wilder foe Tyson Fury publicly broke down last week, and reports have recently emerged that there have been early discussions that could see the American get a shot at the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles currently held by Usyk.