- Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao headlined the biggest pay-per-view boxing fight.
- Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao fought for the WBA, WBC, and WBO World Welterweight titles in May 2015.
- Mayweather Jr. is the first and only billionaire boxer.
In 2015, the welterweight world title showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao set the record for the biggest pay-per-view event in boxing history at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
This fight not only made the world stop to tune in, but also presented the fans with a massive opportunity to place their bets online through the boxing odds. But how many PPV buys did they sell, and how did they earn from it?
What Is the Biggest Pay-Per-View Boxing Fight Ever?
The biggest pay-per-view boxing fight ever was the 2015 welterweight world title fight between Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao, which generated 4.6 PPV buys worldwide, with the total earnings of that fight being over $600 million.
"Mayweather, Pacquiao, the biggest fight in boxing history." –@FloydMayweather #MayPac May 2nd on #Showtime PPV! pic.twitter.com/x9ujPgU9rN
— SHOWTIME (@Showtime) March 11, 2015
Mayweather Jr. secured $240 million in his paycheck, and Pacquiao was $125 million richer after the fight.
What Was the Most Expensive Boxing Fight in History?
The 2015 fight between Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao remains the most expensive boxing fight in history after it produced over $72 million in ticket revenues (average ticket price was $4,450) and over $300 million in PPVs.
How Many People Buy Pay-Per-View Fights?
There is no exact average for the number of people purchasing pay-per-view fights in boxing because it all depends on the star power and popularity of the boxers competing in a specific match.
In the current era, boxers like Canelo Álvarez, Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, and Tyson Fury are the most famous, making fans want to watch their fights on pay-per-view.
Who Won Between Floyd Mayweather Jr. And Manny Pacquiao?
Mayweather Jr. defeated Pacquiao in 2015 by unanimous decision. Their fight, though, was tagged as underwhelming since there were only a few exciting moments throughout the match.
🗓️ Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao finally met #OTD in 2015.
🥊 Would the result have been any different if they had fought years earlier? #boxraw pic.twitter.com/7SgLxTon0l
— BOXRAW (@BOXRAW) May 2, 2023
Is There a Billionaire Boxer?
In August 2021, Mayweather Jr. claimed that his total boxing earnings were over $1.2 billion. It is not impossible for him to hit that mark since he has been fighting other superstars in the sport, like Pacquaio, Oscar De La Hoya, Álvarez, Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton, and Arturo Gatti.
Additionally, the undefeated American invested his money in various businesses, assets, brand partnerships, and endorsements.
