Shocking data reveals viewer count for the Smash-Hit fight
The face-off between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou was an event not to be missed. This fight, featuring the incumbent world boxing champion and the former UFC champion, yielded a high level of anticipation and excitement. The "Gypsy King" was seen on the ropes but, ultimately, emerged victorious by the judges' decision. The bout sparked controversy, particularly concerning the high costs of the Pay-Per-View (PPV) package. The numbers have now been released on how many people purchased access to the fight.
10:31 AM EST, November 5, 2023
ESPN+ viewers in the U.S. needed to shell out as much as 80 dollars to watch the Fury-Ngannou fight. This sparked significant controversy. In Poland, the price was more affordable yet still considered relatively high. Anyone without access to the DAZN platform had to pay about $22.
Many predicted the fight to be smooth sailing for the "Gypsy King". However, Fury faced a formidable challenge from Francis Ngannou, a former exponent of mixed martial arts (MMA). The surprise culminated when Fury found himself on the ropes in the third round.
Judges' verdict determined the final decision. Fury clinched victory by a split decision, igniting controversy. Ngannou did not mince his words in criticizing the outcome and even earned support from boxing legend, Mike Tyson.
"Frankly, Francis Ngannou was the winner. It's not a robbery, but everyone knows the real outcome," confessed "Iron Mike".
As reported by industry portal bloodyelbow.com, the event was sponsored by Saudi financiers; hence, accruing high profits from PPV sales was not a priority. However, the results surpassed expectations.
The event managed to sell only 11.5 thousand TV packages in the United States. On the ESPN+ PPV platform, a modest 56 thousand people bought packages. Compared to other boxing events, this is a significantly lower count. For comparison, 4.6 million packages were sold during the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao match, setting a record.
