5 biggest fights of all time?

I'll be absolutely amazed if Pacquiao vs Mayweather tops Ali vs Frazier I in terms of world interest. Extremely unlikely.

In terms of money. Ali vs Frazier was back in 1971. Nearly 45 years ago, and $1 in 1971 is today worth between $10 and $15 - depending on what comparative assessment is used.

In effect, to out gross Ali vs Frazier, the fight would have to make something like 15 times the amount of money. Now that may not be too hard in this generation of almost world wide PPV etc. We shall see.

From Wiki re Ali vs Frazier I :

"Ringside seats were $150, each man was guaranteed 2.5 million dollars, in addition to the millions who watched this amazing hour of sporting history unfold on closed-circuit screens around the world the Garden buzzed with a sell-out crowd of 20,455 that provided a gate of 1.5 million dollars".

 

The 18.5 million viewers in the UK has been substantiated, but there's no way 500 million people saw that fight. There's just no way. I believe it was broadcast to like 100 countries and when they say 500 million people saw the fight, that was the potential audience. Meanwhile, the actual audience probably wasn't more than 50 million tops, judging by the way people view boxing internationally, and the track record of other big fights.

 

If Floyd Canelo can do 2.2 million, then this fight will do an easy 3 million.

And then theres the overseas revenue. Floyd/Pac are pretty much the only 2 boxers in the world who have widescale cross-over appeal.

 

...Also factor in that Pacquiao is arguably the biggest sports-star in Asia.

Back in the Ali-Frazier-Foreman days, Asia wasnt the market it is today.

 

tyson vs. holyfield II was the biggest fight i witnessed. to the teenagers mayweather vs. pacquiao will be their biggest, but it just doesn't compare to a big time heavyweight fight.

 

Ali - Frazier 1 (record purse 2.5 mil each)
Ali -Foreman (Record purse 5 mil each)
Duran leonard (Record purse 12.500.000, 10 leonard 2.5 Duran)
DLHvs TiTo

 

I think that was Ali vs Frazier III=Thrilla in Manila

They dubbed it the, “Thrilla in Manila,” and it would live on to become the greatest fight of all time. After it was over Ali, the winner, said it was as close to death as he’d ever been. He said he couldn’t go on any longer, but that Frazier had just given up before him. He was so beat he asked his corner to cut his gloves off. As this one progressed everyone assumed it would go the duration and end in a decision after 15 rounds. Frazier and Ali beat the hell out of each other for the entirety of the fight. There was no more mystery between these two and it was a true war. Even in the 14th round, after Frazier’s corner had thrown in the towel, Frazier was heard to say, “I want him, boss.” Ali would go on to win the fight, but many wonder what would have happened had Frazier’s trainers let the fight go o

 

hard to say as i didn't experience the hype and magnitude of these fights but i would think below Ali-Frazier or Ali-foreman. I've heard people talk about how big Hagler-Hearns, Duran-leonard, Leonard-Hearns were but i don't see how Pacquiao-Mayweather can be below these. Floyd > leonard and Pacquiao > Duran or Hearns, plus it's been hyped for 5-6 years. Pacquiao is a phenomenal fighter, only man to win championship in 8 different divisions. Floyd is considered by many one of the best ever, who has dominated the sport for over over a decade.

The Ali fights were bigger because of Ali, Ali was special...the trash talking, the skill and the controversies surrounding him. It was also heavyweight division which carries more weight than 147 lb dudes. With today's social media, Ali-Frazier and ali-Foreman would be massive.

Pacquiao - MAyweather is as big as it gets though... these two fighters are as talented as anyone before them. What also makes this intriguing is the contrasting styles, arguably the best offensive fighter vs the best defensive fighter in past 10 years or so.

 

Mayweather vs Baldomir
Mayweather vs Ortiz
Mayweather vs Maidana 2
Mayweather vs Marquez
Mayweather vs Alvarez

Floyd really knows how to entertain.

 

Ali / Foreman
Hagler / Leonard
Lewis / Tyson
Floyd / Oscar
Floyd / Alvarez


This one is bigger than all of them :deal

 

Johnson - Jeffries
Dempsey - Tunney
Louis - Schmeling
Ali - Frazier
Ali - Foreman
Leonard - Hearns
Duran - Leonard
Leonard - Hagler

Commercially speaking:

Mayweather - De la Hoya
Mayweather - Canelo
Tyson - Holyfield
Lewis - Tyson
DLH - Trinidad

 

The potential audience was in the billions. Eubank was bigger than boxing in Asia and Russia, they tuned in to see him rather than to see boxing.