It’s Official, Mayweather-Pacquiao Is Richest Fight Ever: Boxing PPV Records Set AT 4.4M Buys, $400M Revenue

The Fight of the Century between U.S. boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines did not live up to expectations with regard to the action on top of the squared ring. But the pay-per-view numbers, as expected and officially released on Tuesday, smashed previous records for both PPV buys and total revenue, making Mayweather-Pacquiao the richest fight ever.

According to official reports from cable networks Showtime and HBO, the Mayweather-Pacquiao tiff hauled in 4.4 million PPV buys and generated a PPV revenue of $400 million. The fight, which was held May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas cost $99 and $89 to view for high definition and standard definition subscribers, respectively.

The previous PPV buys record was at 2.48 million set by the Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya fight in 2007 and the former PPV sales was at $150 million set by the Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez bout in 2013.

Aside from the PPV numbers, figures for the closed circuit admissions and revenue both in Las Vegas and around the U.S. have also set a record with 46,000 sold at MGM Resorts International properties and 5,000 sold from across the country.

All in all, including revenue from the live gates ticket sales, which is estimated at more than $70 million, plus revenue from the around the world for the international cable subscribers, Mayweather and Pacquiao plus the networks are expected to share more than $500 million in revenue -- the bulk of which going to the top pound-for-pound fighters.

Mayweather (48-0-0, 26 KOs) defeated Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) in a 12-round unanimous decision with scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.