The 10 most watched boxing matches of all time

On By Littum

Boxing has long captivated audiences with its high-stakes fights and unforgettable rivalries. Pay-per-view broadcasts have often been the battleground for such events, drawing millions of viewers from around the globe. Among the most watched fights, Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson stand out for theirs consistent ability to attract record audiences.

At the very top, it is very hyped “Fight of the Century” between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in 2015. With 4.6 million PPV buys and $410 million in revenue, it remains the most-watched boxing match of all time. Years of build-up and contract negotiations added to the drama, though some fans felt let down by Mayweather’s defensive tacticsgiving him a unanimous decision victory.

In 2017 Mayweather stepped back into the ring to face UFC champion Conor McGregor. The sports clash generated 4.3 million PPV buys. Their global press tour and heated exchanges made this fight a crossover spectacle, despite McGregor’s relative inexperience in boxing. Mayweather ultimately secured a victory by TKO in the 10th round, enhancing his legacy as the king of the PPV era.

Mayweather’s appeal extended beyond these mega-events. His 2007 split-decision win over Oscar De La Hoya drew 2.44 million buys, making it the third most watched match. The flashy build-up, rivalry and De La Hoya’s popularity helped make this fight iconic.

Mike Tyson’s star power dominated the late 1990s and early 2000s. His rematch with Evander Holyfield in 1997 generated 1.99 million buysprimarily remembered for Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident. Tyson’s fights with Lennox Lewis and his return match against Peter McNeely after serving time in prison, he also got millions of views, underscoring his magnetic appeal.

Rank Date Matchups Winner PPV Buy (US Only)
1 May 2, 2015 Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Mayweather (Unanimous Decision) 4.6 million
2 26 August 2017 Floyd Mayweather vs Connor McGregor Mayweather (TKO) 4.3 million
3 5 May 2007 Floyd Mayweather vs Oscar De La Hoya Mayweather (split decision) 2.44 million
4 September 14, 2013 Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez Mayweather (majority decision) 2.2 million
5 June 28, 1997 Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II Holyfield (DQ) 1.99 million
6 June 8, 2002 Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis Lewis (KO) 1.97 million
7 28 November 2020 Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. Split draw 1.6 million
8 November 9, 1996 Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield I Holyfield (KO) 1.59 million
9 August 19, 1995 Mike Tyson vs Peter McNeely Tyson (DQ) 1.55 million
10 May 5, 2012 Floyd Mayweather vs Miguel Cotto Mayweather (unanimous decision) 1.5 million

Recent years have seen fewer boxers consistently breaking the PPV cap with a greater reliance on celebrity fights and glasses-driven campaigns. However, the past shows that with the right rivalry and hype, boxing can still hold its own on the world stage.

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