Oleksandr Usyk left Riyadh with the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF belts in hand after a split decision victory over previously unbeaten Tyson Fury. The PPV numbers remains the best in boxing in recent times.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have faced each other recently for the unification of the heavyweight straps. The quest for the undisputed titles in boxing remains the ultimate quest. Oleksandr Usyk bagged a resounding win. Moreover, the first undisputed heavyweight title fight contested in 25 years had quite the apt PPV buyout.
arring the historical significance of the legacy clash, it was an upfront clash between two giants. Usyk got a split decision win over Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs), bagging a set of 115-112 and 114-113 in a thriller. Both boxers incurred clinical suspensions even without a knockout. Consequently, it garnered a deservingly substantial audience with 1.5 million PPV buyouts!
ESPN’s Boxing Insider Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) notes that the box office buys, entailing a bevy of sectional UK fans, topped the 1.5 million mark. The boxing bout was streamed on DAZN PPV, TNT Sports Box Office (MMA and Boxing in the UK, Ireland region), and Sky Sports Box Office. With a punter of global fans joining, this sums up to $50 million in revenue, with $40 million in sponsorship and $3 million in gates.
Fury-Usyk kept a 70-30 contractual split on the fight purse. Hence, Tyson Fury banked £45 million more than the fight winner despite losing. The ginormous disparity aside, the payday alone is a thing of awe. Additionally, the PPV buys on a limited card, and the scope of MMA vs. Boxing becomes clearer. The matter had been a magnet to some viral reactions.
Fight fans react to Huge Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk Pay-Per-View Buyouts
It was no Queensbery vs Matchroom “5v5” showcase, but the night had its moments. A cruiserweight battle between rivals Mairis Briedis and Jai Opetaia propped up the undisputed main event clash. Anthony Cacace also made a stylistic case for the IBF super-featherweight strap. When the main event rolled in, it was a spectacle from the get-go.
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s clash for the undisputed spot in over two decades was more of a chess match than mere heavyweight grunting. Hence, it’s no surprise a large number of fans would chime in on the action. Here’s how fans have reacted to it, making 1.5 million PPV buyouts:
A prime reaction (@Willbutreal) reacted, “And people still think MMA is better. LOL…I need to take a ride on my ROFLCOPTER real quick.” Consequently, many others have lauded this as a massive step in the sport of boxing. However, some have alluded that an enormous wave of illegal streams probably inhibited the number.
Additionally, with a rematch clause now triggered, their rematch remains substantially more engraving. Their first meeting was one for the ages. Now, it remains to be seen if they can outdo these metrics during a second coming.
