Floyd Mayweather Jr v Manny Pacquiao will be the richest fight in boxing history, with an estimated US$74 million (Dh271.8m) in revenue made on the gate alone. The May 2 bout is expected to break all pay-per-view records, potentially passing $3m, while Mayweather will earn approximately $120m and Pacquiao $80m. Here are the richest grossing fights in history:
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1) Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Saul Alvarez (2013) - $150 million
The first of his six-fight, $250m deal with Showtime, Mayweather was guaranteed a huge payday: $41m in purse, coupled with a share of the pay-per-view revenue. The fight registered 2.2 million in pay-per-view buys. Mayweather won by a majority decision, although a judge controversially scored the bout a draw.
2) Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Oscar De La Hoya (2007) - $136 million
At the time easily the most lucrative fight in history, thanks in large part to pay-per-view buys, which totalled 2.4 million, eclipsing a 10-year record set by Tyson-Holyfield II. Fought at light-middleweight, De La Hoya lost by a split decision. The $52m “Golden Boy” collected in purse probably healed wounds, though. Mayweather took home $25m.
3) Lennox Lewis vs Mike Tyson (2002) - $112 million
A spiky affair throughout, the battle of the world’s two finest heavyweights was moved from Las Vegas to Memphis following a mass brawl at the initial press conference. It probably helped, however, since the fight drew a record-breaking 1.95 million pay-per-view buys. Lewis and Tyson split the purse, each banking $17.5m. Lewis won by eighth round TKO.
4) Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield II (1997) - $100 million
After Holyfield surprisingly won the original bout eight months earlier, the “Bite Fight” drew 1.9 million pay-per-view buys. Holyfield earned $33m and Tyson $30m. It wasn’t bad for 8 minutes’ work: Tyson was disqualified in Round 3 for biting off the top of his rival’s ear. He was fined 10 per cent of his purse and lost his licence.
5) Mike Tyson vs Peter McNeeley (1995) - $96 million
A big-money generator despite featuring a relative unknown, it marked Tyson’s return after a four-year jail sentence for rape and was sold to 1.52 million American homes. Tyson pocketed $25m in purse, with McNeeley collecting $540,000. He lasted all of 89 seconds. After two knock-downs, McNeeley’s manager stepped in to stop the fight.
