It’s easy to argue how good the advent of internet streaming has been for boxing.
The ability to stream the big fight cards on any device, rather than exclusively through a television channel, has given birth to the monster that is pay-per-view boxing.
Whether fans should have to pay extra to watch the best bouts on top of their expensive TV subscription packages can be debated for hours, but even having the ability to watch these fights at home is something to cherish.
So far, nine bouts involving British fighters have been watched by one million PPV viewers or more, with a tenth – Irish MMA star Conor McGregor’s tangle with Floyd Mayweather – also crossing that threshold.
And there could be another surprise addition to the list this weekend…
Packing a Punch
Okay, so crossover boxing isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. But these cards tend to do great numbers and bring a new audience to the sport, which can only be considered a good thing.
The KSI vs Tommy Fury odds suggest that the latter, the half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson, will prove too strong for the YouTuber, with Fury the 2/7 favourite and KSI the 11/4 underdog.
The Paddy Power boxing odds also make a KO victory for Fury the most likely outcome at 5/4, so those watching on from home – in addition to the 21,000 making their way to the sold-out AO Arena in Manchester – should at least get some value for money.
The COMPLETE X Series 10 fight card ???? #KSIFury | #PaulDanis | October 14, buy the PPV now at https://t.co/FoiaUucI53 | @MisfitsBoxingpic.twitter.com/d7jJwIiRKZ
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 10, 2023
Indeed, there’s plenty that mainstream boxing could learn about putting on a show from these Misfits Boxing cards; viewers will enjoy seven main card fights and four on a preliminary card for £19.99, with the action streamed live via DAZN. The quality of the boxing might be questionable in parts, but nobody can query the quantity.
Eddie Hearn believes that the card will do ‘massive numbers’, with more than one million PPV sales expected. And as we know, that would make it one of the most watched contests in British boxing history.
AJ Makes Haye
While fans of the sweet science are quick to pick holes in the technique of Anthony Joshua, his pulling power with the public cannot be questioned.
He is responsible for the three biggest-selling PPV shows in British boxing history, with more than 1.8 million tuning in for his easy victory over Joseph Parker in 2017 – despite the fight itself being rather one-sided, this remains the most-watched pay-per-view by UK-based viewers.
AJ’s amazing fight with Wladimir Klitschko that same year enjoyed an incredible atmosphere, with 90,000 cramming into Wembley Arena for the back-and-forth brawl. Those who couldn’t get a ticket were forced to watch on from – some 1.63 million people hitting the sofa for the big fight.
Completing the hat trick was the rematch with Andy Ruiz, which turned into something of a snoozefest in more ways than one for fans watching ringside in Saudi Arabia, where the contest didn’t start until midnight local time. Those back home in the UK were treated to 9 pm ring walks, however, so PPV sales were strong – around 1.57 million, to be precise.
I wish @usykaa continued success in your quest for greatness. You are a class act champ.
Yesterday I had to mentally take myself into a dark place to compete for the championship belts! I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my emotions and both got the better of me. pic.twitter.com/onnUAALm3R
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) August 21, 2022
Joshua also features on the list of biggest-selling UK PPVs at numbers five and six, with his victory over Alexander Povetkin and defeat to Oleksandr Usyk respectively drawing around 1.24 million buys.
The meat in the sandwich was David Haye’s edifying scrap with Tony Bellew, with the two fighters generating enough pre-fight beef to keep Subway afloat. In the end, Haye’s torn Achilles rather ruined the night for the 1.53 million tuning in at home, with a smaller audience for the rematch treated to a more satisfying conclusion as Bellew’s aggressive class told once again.
Others, including Ricky Hatton, also feature on the list of most watched British fighters, but it’s the names of KSI and Tommy Fury that are expected to make for unlikely additions to the roll call of honour on October 14.