10. Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III – 1.4 Million PPV Buys
Unfortunately, you rarely see relevant trilogies between two big names in boxing today but with Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, they even went at it for the fourth time.
The third bout in 2010 was supposed to settle it all after a draw and a Pacquiao split decision victory. Again, Pacquiao won, this time via majority decision that left the audience in anger. Boxing fans started throwing items towards the ring and turns out nothing was settled in the third fight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89_9T3-I0-U
9. Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto – 1.5 Million PPV Buys
In his previous fight in 2011 against Victor Ortiz, Floyd Mayweather made massive headlines after knocking Ortiz out while the Mexican had his hands down and talking to the referee after apologising for headbutting Floyd.
The controversial victory brought some hype into Floyd’s next fight against Miguel Cotto in 2012 but this time there was no controversy at all, just another day in the office for Mayweather as he decisioned Cotto after 12 rounds and won the WBA World super welterweight title.
8. Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley – 1.55 Million PPV Buys
Titled ‘He’s back’, Mike Tyson made his comeback into the ring against Peter McNeeley in August 1995. Goes without saying that the anticipation for this one was massive. ‘Iron’ Mike had just gone out from prison after serving a three year rape conviction sentence. He was still mean, lean and looking to land clean.
McNeely’s manager had seen enough after the second knockdown and stopped the fight by running into the ring.
Talk about a comeback for ‘the baddest man on the planet’.
7. Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield I – 1.59 Million PPV Buys
In November 1996, Mike Tyson was the WBA World heavyweight champion looking to retain his title against fearsome challenger and second ranked Evander Holyfield.
After losing to Buster Douglas in 1991, Tyson went on an eight fight winning streak that was stopped by Holyfield with an 11th round KO victory. However, the Tyson-Holyfield chapter was not done.
6. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson – 1.97 Million Buys
In 2002 it was more than clear that Mike Tyson was not the same fighter he once was but he still had ferocious beef with Lennox Lewis.
Tyson attacked Lewis and caused a brawl at their infamous press conference earlier that year in January. Las Vegas took Tyson’s license away and several other states refused to grant him one until Memphis finally licensed ‘Iron’ Mike. The fight eventually happened in June and Lewis knocked Tyson out in the 8th round.
5. Evander Holyfield v Mike Tyson II – 1.99 Million PPV Buys
This fight barely needs any introduction. ‘The Bite Fight’ became one of Tyson’s most notorious and memorable bouts. After losing to Holyfield via knockout in 1996, Tyson wanted payback in their rematch on June 28, 1997.
Holyfield dominated the fight from the get go but it was Tyson who delivered the final bite. After spitting a bloody piece of Holyfield’s ear on to the canvas, Tyson was disqualified.
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – 2.2 Million PPV Buys
Some expected young Canelo Alvarez to provide the upset against Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2013 and hype generated a staggering 2.2 Million pay-per-view buys. However, reality proved to be different as Floyd was too experienced, too quick, and simply on another level compared to the 22 year old rising Mexican superstar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I30iuzCucCc&t=197s
3. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr – 2.4 Million PPV Buys
At the time in 2007, this was the biggest money fight ever. It broke records set by Tyson-Holyfield with 2.4 million buys. The PPV generated a revenue of $136 million. De La Hoya took home $52 million and Mayweather banked $25 million.
The first ever 24/7 series that introduced before the fight built massive hype for the fight and it showed in the PPV buys. The bout made Floyd a boxing superstar as ‘Golden Boy’ struggled to find success against Mayweather’s skills. Known as ‘Pretty Boy’ at the time, Floyd got the victory via split decision.
2. Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor – 4.4 Million PPV Buys
Initially, reports claimed that this fight shattered all records and generated over $6 million PPV buys. However, in late September Keith Idec from boxingscene.com confirmed that figures first mentioned were not true. ‘May-Mac’ did well due to the absolutely massive hype but it wasn’t the biggest PPV of all time.
McGregor managed to sell himself and the idea of him possibly getting the upper hand over Floyd. Then 49-0 Mayweather schooled McGregor and finished the fight in the 10th round.
https://youtu.be/M7tNoif1MKo?t=8m17s
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao – 4.6 Million PPV Buys
Titled ‘The Fight of the century’ but in reality possibly the most overhyped fight of all time.
Unfortunately, it was done too late when both fighters, especially Manny Pacquiao, were past their prime in 2015. Though Mayweather still looked fresh due his style of not taking punishment throughout his career. Whereas Pacquiao just was not the same fighter he once was following the Juan Manuel Marquez knockout loss. People felt robbed as Mayweather outclassed the slow and sluggish Philippino boxer who couldn’t get a lot done in the fight.
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