Pacquiao vs Mosley Does 1.3 Million-Plus PPV Buys, 14th-Highest Nevada Gate Ever

Dan Rafael reported a few days ago that the Manny Pacquiao vs Shane Mosley fight from May 7 did at least 1.3 million buys on pay-per-view, confirming the event as Pacquiao's biggest-ever PPV fight.

"We know we have a little over 1.3 million," [Bob] Arum said. "What we don't have are some of the smaller cable systems. What I'm saying is I know we go to the bank counting a little over a 1.3 million. I know we'll go up from there. How much up, I have no experience in this. This was all done for us in the past by HBO, which had experience, charts and all kinds of data from past fights to compare the fight to. Showtime can't do it because they haven't done this in so long. They don't have the database that you need, but I'm feeling very, very happy because I know I've done at least 1.3 million."

What is somewhat astonishing about this is that Manny did this number against an opponent that most analysts felt would be outclassed, and was too old. Mosley did have some mild support for his punching power, but at best was given the old "puncher's chance" by the vast majority, with Pacquiao a massive betting favorite going in.

So in essence, Top Rank sold a fight that was a mismatch, and sold it well, and at the end of the day, you can say that the fight delivered was about what should have been expected, boring and one-sided as it was. Sure, Top Rank fluffed it up as a competitive matchup, but if you're buying what promoters say in press conferences, that's your own doing, not theirs.

The gate in Nevada was $8,882,600, the 14th-highest revenue from attendance in the state's history for boxing, meaning it was also a big live success as well as on pay-per-view.

Arum also says that Showtime, like they do with Miguel Cotto's next fight, has the right to first negotiation for the November 12 fight between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao's previous biggest PPV events came against Oscar de la Hoya in December 2008, and Miguel Cotto in November 2009. Both fights did 1.25 million buys.