• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 5, 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 was 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: April 22, 2025
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

Paramount+, CBS Land Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing in 5-Year Deal

The CBS Sports parent company expands its relationship with TKO Group Holdings.

Netflix Boxing Ratings Spark New Fight Over Streaming Metrics

The streamer used a non-accredited process to measure the boxing match.
Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Brad Tavares (red gloves) fights Robert Bryczek (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.

TKO President Mark Shapiro Pops Talk of Valuation Bubble, Defends UFC Deal

“Sports is the last bastion of unifying content in this world.”

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
September 24, 2025

Packers-Cowboys Game Is Getting Super Bowl–Like NBC Treatment

The network will bring its pregame show to Dallas.
Sep 18, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) reacts as the Fever defeat the Atlanta Dream during game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
September 19, 2025

Fever Upset of Dream Brings Ratings Boost to WNBA Semis

The Indiana Fever will face the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
September 17, 2025

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.