May 9, 2007 – NEW YORK -- HBO Sports reported today that 2.15 million pay-per-view buys and $120 million in pay-per-view revenue was generated from last Saturday’s mega fight showdown featuring Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with MGM Grand Hotel & Casino..

In a fight that set the all-time pay-per-view record by eclipsing the previous mark by a sizable margin of 160,000 buys as well as establishing a new mark for revenue from a pay-per-view telecast, Mayweather scored a split decision victory and captured De La Hoya’s junior middleweight title. The showdown, which featured boxing’s two biggest attractions, produced 1,225,000 buys from cable systems and 925,000 buys from satellite homes throughout the 50 states.

“De La Hoya vs. Mayweather was a record-setting event from the moment the fight was announced,” said Ross Greenburg, President of HBO Sports. “We are delighted that sports fans recognized the greatness of these two future Hall of Famers and tuned in for their showdown. It’s satisfying to see that boxing still connects with sports fans throughout the country and we are determined to continue to present high-profile fights that capture the public’s imagination.”

Mayweather, regarded as the sport’s pound-for-pound king, now possesses a spotless 38-0 record. The 30-year-old Grand Rapids, Michigan native now lives in Las Vegas.

De La Hoya, 34, who has won titles in six weight classes and is the industry’s all-time top pay-per-view performer, has now participated in each of the top six non-heavyweight pay-per view events in history -- including the industry record-setting 2.15 million buys vs. Mayweather; the 1.4 million buys for the Felix Trinidad fight in Sept. 1999; one million buys for the matchup with Bernard Hopkins in September 2004; the Sept. 2003 rematch with Shane Mosley, which generated 950,000 buys; and the Sept. 2002 showdown with Fernando Vargas and the May 2006 encounter with Ricardo Mayorga, both of which registered 935,000 buys.

The De La Hoya vs. Mayweather junior middleweight championship fight will be replayed this Saturday night, May 12 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ PT & 9:00 p.m CT on HBO.

The rebroadcast will include a studio show hosted by Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant with new interviews of Mayweather and De La Hoya, plus highlights from the groundbreaking “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” reality series.

The program will be replayed on HBO2 Sunday, May 13 at 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 15 at 11:30 p.m. Both times are ET/PT.

 

i really was nothappy with that fight. they both looked like they did walking into the ring when the fight was over. not impressed, luckily i was not one of those that paid. just went to the neighbors and let him spend the money.

 

Wasn't this billed as the fight to save boxing? Sorry, Kon, I know you have a love for the sweet science, but I think people were dissapointed regardeless of the amount of ppv dollars made. I will still be paying $35 for UFC rather than $60 for a boxing match.

 

Yup.

 

YeahI get all that stuff free and I almost asked my boss for a credit on my account. It was a lame fight and I didn't even agree with the decision. I don't think it was cut and dry. That fight, to me, came down to who had more heart in the ring.

I thought Oscar did.

 

I I guess it's a difference in opinion. Personally, I would rather watch a 12 round fight in which a fighter (Mayweather) display's a near perfect defense while landing a HUGE percent of his shots. The fight was back and forth, it had it's moments for sure, with Mayweather wobbling Oscar twice in the fight.

The problem is, the majority of people who watched it, don't know what to look for. They are Heavyweight fans (casual fans) who expect a knock out. The type of people who say things like "The fight shouldn't be over until someone get's knocked out!" They tune into UFC and think because the gloves are smaller and they can kick, it is more dangerous and therefore, more exciting. So now we have millions of people buying UFC PPV, and ignoring boxing. That's fine by me; I would rather not have the casual fan to be honest. You can liken him to the "squid" of combat sports. The guy who thinks MMA is more dangerous than boxing.

I enjoy watching MMA, mainly PrideFC and the new BoDog fights, because they are less corrupt than UFC. I refused to buy another MMA PPV after I watched the horrible early stoppage by Tito over Shamrock in the rematch. Absolutely ridiculous.

The fight came down to who fought better. More clean, effective shots, while avoiding more of the clean, effective shots. In other words, who was the better fighter? On May 5th Floyd Mayweather was more than twice as accurate. See unlike MMA, you can't win a boxing match by merely pressing forward and throwing your arms, you actually have to land punches. Being the "aggressor" cannot win you a fight, you have to also do something with the aggression. Mayweather, although not moving forward at all, was still fighting. He was timing his shots perfectly, throwing only when he knew he wouldn't be leaving himself open. Perfect fight.

 

yup. i really enjoyed the fight. it was like a chess match. i think de la hoya's performance was waaaaaaaaay overrated. he didn't land any effective shots; obviously due to mayweathers amazing defence.

the fact that mayweather is a naturalwelterweight and moved up a weight class to fight de la hoya and still whopped his a$$ is remarkable. the judge who ruled in his favour should be banned from boxing...mayweather may be a ***** and all; but heCLEARLY beat de la hoya.

 

i wonder how much it was if ppl did not all go over to a friends house to watch it and paid for it them selfs

 

Actually Mayweather is a natural 130pounder, same as De La Hoya. Mayweather is now a 5 division champ, and De La Hoya is a 6 division champ, but I see your point. De La Hoya has been comfortably at Light Middle for a while, and even won a title at middleweight! (Even though he really lost that fight against Strum, so he should only be 5 div. champ. Oscar was always on the high end of the 130's when he fought that low. Mayweather spent very little time over 135 and was able to beat everyone despite his size disadvantage.

And yes, he beat De La Hoya very decisively, that one judge was obviously just trying to make it controversial. Can you say "Rematch"?

 

Naw... De la Hoya is going to retire, Mayweather still has the revenue generating potential... Not saying that they didn't fight fair and square, just saying that the way it worked out is the best thing that could have happened to the Sport , in the marketing view of things.
I still think Mayweather is a punk. But the punk can fight. (actually he is a f**ing amazing fighter)
I'd actually cheer for him if he didn't have so much of an attitude problem.
But I can't bring myself to like someone with his attitude.