It all adds up to a sporting record
ABOUT three million households across the US paid $90 to $100 (about R1 000) to watch the fight on TV last night. It was the highest pay-per-view price tag in sporting history.
However, some who did not want to fork out headed across the border to Mexico, where the fight was broadcast for free.
Although neither of the boxers has any links to Mexico, the country was heavily invested in the fight, with the Mexican beer Tecate a major sponsor.
Two of Mexico’s networks snapped up the rights to broadcast the fight.
Those who wanted to experience the action in person at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas had to buy tickets from ticket brokers and touts, and they started at $4 000 a pop.
Only 500 seats were made available to the public — and these were sold out in two minutes. Seats on the floor went for more than $100 000, and it was reported that a pair of prime ringside seats were sold for $700 000.
Although thousands of fans flooded into Nevada’s Sin City for the fight — filling more than 150 000 hotel rooms — only the 10 resorts belonging to MGM were allowed to televise the fight.
More than 160 000 tickets were sold for the resorts’ venues at $150 a seat.
Even guests at the MGM Grand — room rates are about $1 500 a night this weekend — were not able to watch the fight for free.
They had to pay extra to see it in one of the hotel’s bars or conference rooms.
One of the big buyers of tickets to the fight was Manny Pacquiao, who spent an estimated $4-million to have his family and friends close to him on the big night. The Filipino fighter bought 900 seats, almost double the number made available to the general public.