Can Pacquiao-Cotto PPV Outsell Mayweather’s Fights?
by Danny Rolodex
It was reported that the pay-per-view amount generated from the fight between Oscar Dela-Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., generated over two million buys. That is a huge sales figure considering that the boxers involved are in the spotlight.
On the other hand, the recent encounter between Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez was reported to have generated around a million PPV buys. HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg expressed surprise over the unexpected results. However, he credited Marquez’s Hispanic fan base for the overwhelming PPV sales without discounting Mayweather’s PPV selling power.
On November 14, 2009, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will face off against WBO welterweight champ Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Dubbed as Firepower, there has been so much buzz and hype surrounding this mega-fight. The anticipation and thrill over Firepower is manifest by its tickets sales. In fact, Firepower tickets were sold out within a few weeks as against the Mayweather-Marquez fight, which was struggling at the gates.
Pacquiao and Cotto are practically household names, not only in the U.S. but also in their respective countries. Pacquiao, in particular, has been hailed a modern-day hero for bringing honor and prestige to the Philippines on the world stage. This is the same with Cotto in his homeland, Puerto Rico.
There is no doubt Pacquiao and Cotto can fill up an entire stadium with the Firepower mega-fight. However, can they sell over a million PPVs?
I don’t think they can sell over a million PPVs. Though I could not speak for Cotto and the rest of the Puerto Ricans, the reality with most Pinoys is that they come together in a single household to watch Pacquiao’s fights. There could be a hundred people watching the fight but only one household bought the PPV.
Pinoys love big gatherings. Whether it’s the Holidays, birthdays or any other meaningful occasion, they love to congregate and celebrate. This upcoming mega-fight with their “kababayan” is just another excuse for them to unite and watch as the Filipino hero battles it out with the Puerto Rican champion.
Come November 14, visit a Filipino household, and expect a crowded place filled with lots of food and drinks. And there will be a lot of cheering and shouting as the action unfolds.
shut-up.
its more than 1.6 ppv and counting.
i regret reading this sh*t article.
relax. the final numbers aren’t in yet until Thursday.