• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, May 7, 2025

The Most Watched Boxing Matches Ever

  • Floyd Mayweather or Mike Tyson are featured in every boxing match among the most-watched ever.
  • Floyd Mayweather’s fights averaged 3 million PPV buys.
May 2, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Referee Kenny Bayless (center) separates Manny Pacquiao (left) from Floyd Mayweather during their boxing bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

At its height, boxing has been one of the most-watched sports worldwide. Marquee fights between superstars drove record viewership from pay-per-view purchases.

Today, boxing is increasingly relying on celebrities — and a proposed joint venture out of Saudi Arabia — to generate hype around the sport.

During boxing’s better days, star fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson could almost guarantee record viewership and attendance anytime they fought.

Both boxers dominate the list of the most-watched boxing matches ever. 

Mayweather competed in five fights among the most-watched boxing matches, totaling 15.04 million PPV buys. Tyson has five fights featured, adding up to 8.7 million PPV buys. 

The most-watched boxing match was the 2015 bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao which drew 4.6 million PPV buys.

“The Fight of the Century” had been brewing for years, but delayed several times due to breakdowns in contract negotiations. Once the fight finally materialized, both boxers were past their respective primes.

Mayweather won by unanimous decision and the fight generated $410 million in revenue. But it failed to live up to all the hype as fans were disappointed in a mostly defensive approach by Mayweather. 

Second with 4.3 million PPV buys is Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor

Both men had been going back and forth with words. But it wasn’t until Mayweather announced he would come out of retirement to fight McGregor that things became real. 

Finally, a fight was set up for August of 2017. A three-day international press tour in July helped hype up the fight.

Mayweather was guaranteed a fight purse of at least $100 million and McGregor at least $30 million. Both men made substantially more as the fight became second only to Mayweather’s Pacquiao fight. 

In the end, Mayweather showed he was a class above McGregor in the boxing ring and earned a win by TKO in the 10th round.

“Money” Mayweather participated in the top four most-watched boxing matches, averaging 3.385 million PPV buys between them.

Mike Tyson’s five fights among the most-watched boxing matches averaged 1.74 million PPV buys. 

Ranking The Most Watched Boxing Matches

Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched boxing matches based on pay-per-view buys in the United States. The list was compiled using historical data from Planet Sport.

*The Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight on November 15th, 2024 did not use traditional PPV metrics, but was reported to receive 108 million viewers on Netflix.

  • Updated: December 3, 2024
RankingDateMatchupWinnerReported U.S. PPV Buys
1May 2, 2015Floyd Mayweather vs Manny PacquiaoMayweather (Unanimous decision)4.6 million
2August 26, 2017Floyd Mayweather vs Connor McGregorMayweather (TKO)4.3 million
3May 5, 2007Floyd Mayweather vs Oscar De La HoyaMayweather (Split decision)2.44 million
4September 14, 2013Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo AlvarezMayweather (Majority decision)2.2 million
5June 28, 1997Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield IIHolyfield (DQ)1.99 million
6June 8, 2002Mike Tyson vs Lennox LewisLewis (KO)1.97 million
7November 28, 2020Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr.Split draw1.6 million
8November 9, 1996Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield IHolyfield (KO)1.59 million
9August 19, 1995Mike Tyson vs Peter McNeelyTyson (DQ)1.55 million
10May 5, 2012Floyd Mayweather vs Miguel CottoMayweather (Unanimous decision)1.5 million

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Netflix Sports Strategy Unchanged Despite Growth: Events, Not Seasons

Shares in the company surge after a particularly robust quarterly report.
The Paul brothers at Trump's inauguration

All the Sports Figures Attending Trump’s Second Inauguration

Fighters, owners, and executives are descending on Washington for Trump.

PFL Drops Bellator, Launches $20 Million Tournament

The MMA league is shortening its tournament format by three months.

Featured Today

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.
Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

Charles Barkley Will Deny NBC, Amazon Offers to Stick With Turner

Barkley has repeatedly flip-flopped in his career plans in recent years.
Feb 2, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars (7) carries the ball against NFC return specialist KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys (9) during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium.
February 4, 2025

NFL Pro Bowl Ratings Drop Again Despite Flag Football Push

ABC, ESPN, and Disney XD drew 4.7 million viewers for Sunday’s simulcast.
February 4, 2025

Fox Reports Big Sports Profits, Eyes New Streaming Service

Football and baseball helped power surges in company revenue and net income.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
A Fox Sports camera records on the sideline prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
February 3, 2025

Fox Sports Suspends Exec Accused of Sexual Misconduct: NYT

Dixon is a defendant in two lawsuits filed by former Fox Sports employees.
February 3, 2025

Michael Johnson’s New Track League Gets Boost With Media Deal

Noah Lyles said he wasn’t committing until a media deal was announced.
February 3, 2025

Super Bowl LIX Eyes TV Ratings Record With Nielsen Expansion

The measurement agency expands its capabilities to count out-of-home viewing.
February 2, 2025

Will Chiefs-Eagles Set Another Super Bowl TV Ratings Record?

Fox drew 115 million viewers for the same matchup two years ago.