Top 10 Most Expensive Boxing Matches
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For years, boxing has been one of the most popular sports on the pay-per-view circuit. With events as high as $100 or more, people are willing to hand over their credit card to watch a few fights and the main event between two notorious boxers.
This list consists of the 10 highest ever grossing pay-per-view boxing matches in history.
10. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad – $71 Million
Date: September 18, 1999
Where: Las Vegas
Winner: Felix Trinidad
There was a rematch called due to the close nature of this match, but the match never even ended up happening.
9. Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley – $75 Million
Date: May 7, 2011
Where: Las Vegas
Winner: Manny Pacquaio
When Pacquaio won, he was rewarded handsomely with 20 million dollars. However, Shane Mosley still walked away with 3.95 Million dollars.
8. Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield – $77.9 Million
Date: November 9, 1996
Where: Las Vegas MGM Grand
Winner: Evander Holyfield
In the 11th round, there was a TKO in Evander Holyfield’s favor. Evander Holyfield had now won the heavyweight title 3 separate times in a row.
7. Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman – $80 Million
Date: April 19, 1991
Where: Atlantic City
Winner: Evander Holyfield
This was the first ever fight on HBO Pay-Per-View. It really set the mark for what Pay-Per-View fights should be. George Foreman had already been guaranteed 12.5 million for the fight. Even though Evander Holyfield won, it was amazing that George Foreman was able to compete in the ring with him as long as he did at the age of 42.
6. Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto – $94 Million
Date: May 5, 2012
Where: Las Vegas MGM Grand
Winner: Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather earned a nice 45 million dollars off of this fight due to his massive contract. Mayweather has always been able to demand high prices due to his amazingly well known name and amazing talent.
5. Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley – $96 Million
Date: August 19, 1995
Where: Las Vegas MGM Grand
Winner: Mike Tyson
The most notable aspect of this fight is the fact that this was Mike Tyson’s first fight back after serving a 4 year prison sentence. This is most likely why the Pay-Per-View sales were so high.
4. Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield – $100.2 Million
Date: June 28, 1997
Where: Las Veags MGM Grand
Winner: Evander Holyfield
This is quite possibly one of the most remembered boxing matches of our time. This is the infamous fight where Mike Tyson bit off the ear of Evander Holyfield.
3. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson – $112 Million
Date: June 8, 2002
Where: Memphis
Winner: Lennox Lewis
The reason this Pay-Per-View fight did so well is that the tickets were so expensive to the actual fight.
2. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. – $136 Million
Date: May 5, 2007
Where: Las Vegas MGM Grand
Winner: Floyd Mayweather
Oscar De La Hoya walked away with a fresh 52 million after this fight.
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Saul Alvarez – $150 Million
Date: September 13, 2013
Where: Las Vegas MGM Grand
Winner: Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather won in a split decision, but there is still controversy over how close the score cards actually were. Mayweather was able to walk away with 41.5 million dollars after this fight due to his contract.
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