How did Evander Holyfield become a big PPV draw?

I've been wondering about this for a few years now. How and why was he such a huge draw on PPV? I wanted to say it was because of Tyson but I saw his numbers before he fought Tyson and was surprised. Thursday's abbreviated heavyweight title fight between Evander Holyfield and James ''Buster'' Douglas in record numbers, thanks to an advertising campaign that sold the public on Douglas' credibility. Promoters say some 1 million households paid an average of $34.95 for the fight, besting the previous top of 700,000 homes for the 1988 bout between Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-10-27/sports/9010270154_1_holyfield-douglas-evander Right out of the gate he did a million buys with Douglas, then he goes on to do 1.4 million with Foreman, 730k with Holmes, a combined 2.5 million for all three Bowe fights. Also at the time he was the biggest money fight for both Tyson and Lewis. Whenever I've seen forum posts discussing PPV buys and stars, I never see Holyfield get mentioned. Was boxing just that hot in the early 90s or was there something else?

Comments (20)

TAKEOVER7209

Holyfield won the bronze. Many say he was ripped off because he knocked out his opponent but the ref said "break" before the punch landed. Holyfield was was dominating and on his way to the gold though and the DQ probably motivated him even more. The controversy made him better known when he turned pro. He was very impressive as a young pro against tough competition. Oh damn I thought he won gold my bad but he was an Olympian back when people use to care who was on the Olympic boxing team.

11y ago

TBear

He won a Gold Medal as well Holyfield won the bronze. Many say he was ripped off because he knocked out his opponent but the ref said "break" before the punch landed. Holyfield was was dominating and on his way to the gold though and the DQ probably motivated him even more. The controversy made him better known when he turned pro. He was very impressive as a young pro against tough competition.

11y ago

Sugar_Adam_Ali

Holyfield fought nothing but big fights for the most part, and was always an exciting fighter giving us great fights like dokes, bowe, foreman, mercer, cooper, etc etc

11y ago

The_Big_Dunn

Same way Pacquiao became a draw, by putting on exciting fights, fighting hard, and being the smaller man taking on bigger dudes toe to toe. Lennox Lewis wasn't a huge draw for a heavvyweight his biggest ppvs was with evander and tyson someone correct me if im wrong here, but didn't he only average like 300k buys How did Lennox make so much money if he didn't draw well on USA soil? this and the rub Douglas got from beating Tyson. There literally isn't more publicity ever than Douglass got for that win.

11y ago

hectari

11y ago

TAKEOVER7209

He won a Gold Medal as well

11y ago

KnockoutNed

Because when you tuned in to see a Holyfield fight chances are it was going to be a instant classic.

11y ago

GODFR33

I've been wondering about this for a few years now. How and why was he such a huge draw on PPV? I wanted to say it was because of Tyson but I saw his numbers before he fought Tyson and was surprised. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-10-27/sports/9010270154_1_holyfield-douglas-evander Right out of the gate he did a million buys with Douglas, then he goes on to do 1.4 million with Foreman, 730k with Holmes, a combined 2.5 million for all three Bowe fights. Also at the time he was the biggest money fight for both Tyson and Lewis. Whenever I've seen forum posts discussing PPV buys and stars, I never see Holyfield get mentioned. Was boxing just that hot in the early 90s or was there something else? This is why, Enjoy.

11y ago

sicko

Don King! He wasn't charismatic or anything like that, hell most of the time I did not understand WTF he was saying during interviews lol but Don King was a Marketing Genius who knew how to get out and sell his fights and fighters

11y ago

mrlopez

I've been wondering about this for a few years now. How and why was he such a huge draw on PPV? I wanted to say it was because of Tyson but I saw his numbers before he fought Tyson and was surprised. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-10-27/sports/9010270154_1_holyfield-douglas-evander Right out of the gate he did a million buys with Douglas, then he goes on to do 1.4 million with Foreman, 730k with Holmes, a combined 2.5 million for all three Bowe fights. Also at the time he was the biggest money fight for both Tyson and Lewis. Whenever I've seen forum posts discussing PPV buys and stars, I never see Holyfield get mentioned. Was boxing just that hot in the early 90s or was there something else? There were a few factors... He lived up to his nickname "The Real Deal" Boxing WAS hot in the 90's. Heavyweights ruled Holyfield was a f'kn WARRIOR who would give it his all He was thee man at cruiser and brought up his power and tenacity to an exciting hw division

11y ago

Dr_Rumack

Because heavyweights are and will always be big PPV draws. If Wilder ever fought Wlad, I guarantee it would do well on PPV. If he won, he'd be the biggest boxing star in America. This is it. Every great heavyweight should be a major celebrity in the US. Even nowadays.

11y ago

LarryX

Because heavyweights are and will always be big PPV draws. If Wilder ever fought Wlad, I guarantee it would do well on PPV. If he won, he'd be the biggest boxing star in America. Bingo.............

11y ago

GODFR33

Class act....... Evander was a class act and throwback fighter. He was humble and loved to challenge himself and prove to the fans, he was the best. He didn't care how much you had in the bank, he didn't care about your PPV numbers, he would fight anyone, anytime, anywhere. That's back when boxing still had credibility. Nobody ever gave Evander anything, he EARNED his place in boxing history as an ATG. He is the greatest Cruiserweight ever, in my opinion and a top 10 all-time Heavyweight. One last thing, to be a PPV star back then, you just had to be willing to fight the best and be in exciting fights. There was no fanboys hyping up their favorite fighter, there was no Social Media either. Fighter's had to fight the best. The promoter's were more in control as well. Now a days, fighters get their own promotional company's, just to DUCK the biggest threat to their spot. The end.

11y ago

VWEBB

Probably because he was the real deal. Thread could have ended here.

11y ago

just_the_facts

Yes but Evander did produce some of the greatest fights, like the Bowe wars, and his knockout of Mike Tyson and going the distance with LEnnox 2ce, the longevity of his career, near enough to winning another title in his mid 40's. That's right up there with the best of achievements I reckon. War Evander! you actually complimented an American! I'm floored

11y ago

Elroy1

11y ago

1Assassin

how could he not have been a big ppv star? - dude fought anyone and everyone - was a good puncher (especially at CW but he had some big KOs at HW too) - was a true warrior who showed tremendous guts and courage on countless occasions and was in a lot of great wars and thrilling fights. - great technician who hardcore fans could appreciate for his skills as well - he was a HW and as such drew more attention - simply an atg, one of the best who ever did it i ask again, why would he not be a ppv draw?

11y ago

MrRolltide91

Because heavyweights are and will always be big PPV draws. If Wilder ever fought Wlad, I guarantee it would do well on PPV. If he won, he'd be the biggest boxing star in America. Yep.......

11y ago

bojangles1987

Because heavyweights are and will always be big PPV draws. If Wilder ever fought Wlad, I guarantee it would do well on PPV. If he won, he'd be the biggest boxing star in America.

11y ago

JulianQ

Well after a stellar Cruiser career and set up challenger to Tyson, then winning a title from Douglas, through a series of defences including to 2 former greats he was lightly regarded still as a HW but was certainly in good stead already. And after the Bowe war... That was it. Evander was certainly the real deal. What came after was a career full of brutal wars against some of the toughest opponents ever to have entered the ring, which more often than not became slug fests which Holyfield endured with his solid chin. This combined with the fact he was the most hopeful American HW in boxing in the 90's and promoted as the main man there... You have all the ingredients for PPV greatness! Well summarized. Evander was a true warrior and an exciting heavyweight. He was also lucky to have some really good opponents in his era.

11y ago