Floyd Mayweather Earned At Least $220 Million For Win Over Manny Pacquiao

Coming in with the heat of years of contrived hype and build-up behind it, May 2’s Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao boxing match was largely billed as the boxing “Fight of the Century” between the top two pugilists of the modern era.

The fight itself failed to deliver on the massive hype in a big way, as the bout was labeled as an all too cautious affair that Mayweather predictably won by unanimous decision with his elusive, jab-heavy style. Many critics were quick to blast the bout, which brought in a staggering 4.4 million pay-per-view (PPV) buys, as a disappointment far from worthy of an even hundred dollars from each customer who paid to watch it.

Regardless of the result, however, Mayweather has reportedly taken home the record-setting payday that was projected for him, as ESPN’s Darren Rovell reported that ‘Money’ took home a lofty sum of at least $220 million for the bout. Mayweather could end up earning $230 million when it’s all said and done.

For his part, Pacquiao, who cam into the fight with an injured shoulder that required surgery, will take home about $150 million, but the Filipino icon still faces at least 40 lawsuits from customers who believe he should have disclosed his medical status before fighting a bout of such magnitude.

His overall number will be reduced even further when he pays his promoter, Bob Arum’s Top Rank, their fee. Mayweather promotes himself so will dodge that fee.

The massive paydays aside from the fighters’ guaranteed fees came from the $72 million in ticket sales, another $19 million in closed-circuit sales from over 5,000 bars and similar establishments, and finally a record $6.9 million in closed-circuit profit overall. The fight took in a total of nearly $600 million to make it the most profitable boxing match of all-time.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports