Given that Mayweather regularly makes over one million for his fights and that his previous bout with Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto made it to number six on the all-time list of events, the purchase rate of 875,000 for his clash with Guerrero will be a surprise to many.
Showtime had pushed the boat out to bring him to the network.
Mayweather, 36, is set to make upwards of $200million for his exploits. He has now drafted in the biggest name out there (barring Manny Pacquiao) in Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for his second outing after the Guerrero clash’s disappointment.
Initially, Mayweather had said that he would remain at 147lbs upon his release from prison. This admission had followed the American also announced that he would never fight at a catchweight.
Both of those decisions ‘Money’ has now reversed, with the latest PPV figures possibly a major factor.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER MARQUEE
The 22-year-old WBC champion Alvarez is undoubtedly the marquee name for Mayweather. Even though moving up the weight divisions was not in the double title holder’s retirement plan initially when they struck the deal.
‘Canelo’ poses a huge threat to Mayweather on September 14. More so than many of the recent opponents that have failed to dethrone the world number one.
The Mexican has the standout 44-0-1 record of making the encounter a huge sell.
Whether the 152lbs contest can rival the projected 1.5million sales of the Mayweather v Cotto fight in 2012 will only come to light in the aftermath.
Showtime is sure to step up their promotion of this battle, even if they can then simply avoid a repeat of last month.
Mayweather remains the biggest name in boxing.
Phil Jay is the Editor of WBN. An Auxiliary member of the Boxing Writers Association of America since 2018. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay.
