Boxing’s mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is in the books, but the numbers for gate receipts and other forms of commerce are beginning to roll in. According to Showtime, the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao pay-per-view broadcast generated 4.4 million buys, thereby setting an all-time record for any event aired in that space.
“Initial reports from distributors indicate that the event generated more than 4.4 million U.S. buys and more than $400 million in domestic pay-per-view revenue alone,” a press release states. “With additional revenue from the live gate at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, international television distribution, sponsorships, closed circuit and merchandise sales, the event is expected to generate in excess of $500 million in gross worldwide receipts.”
The news of the buyrate was announced Tuesday by Showtime Networks and HBO as well as the promoters of the event, Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank, Inc.
The previous pay-per-view record was set by Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather in 2007, a bout that pulled 2.48 million buys. The previous top earner in terms of revenue was Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez in 2013. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao “nearly tripled” that earnings from that bout, according to the release.
“Live gate receipts for the star-studded event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena produced more than $71 million in revenue, dramatically eclipsing the previous live gate record of $20 million (for Mayweather vs. Canelo) for both the sport of boxing and Las Vegas,” the release stated.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015. Mayweather defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision.