Over 1
million customers bought De La Hoya - Pacquiao fight on HBO PPV
Source: Latinosportslegends.com
December 10, 2008 -- The "Dream Match" against Manny
Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya last weekend attracted 1.25 million
customers at the purchase price of $54.95 according to a news release by
HBO.
Despite it being this year's top boxing attraction, it fell far short
of De La Hoya's record bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year (2.4
million buys).
The fight generated more than $70 million in pay-per-view revenue,
HBO announced, and the bout's live gate at MGM Grand surpassed $17
million, promoters said.
"Boxing fans across America showed tremendous support for this event
and we're pleased that they tuned in," Mark Taffet of HBO
Pay-Per-View said.
Pacquiao-De la Hoya was only the fourth fight in boxing history that
was not a heavyweight bout yet still brought more than one million
pay-per-view buys.
While some had hoped the fight might finish closer to the record 2.15
million purchases and 120 million dollars from last year's de la Hoya
fight against Floyd Mayweather, the bout was a success in tough economic
times.
Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) moved up two weight divisions to fight at
welterweight to fight De La Hoya. The one-sided bout was stopped after
the eighth round when, with the fighter bruised and swollen. De La
Hoya's corner threw in the towel.
According to Pacquiao's team, the only two possible big money making
fight would be England's Ricky Hatton or Floyd Mayweather Jr. if he
comes out of retirement.
