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Pay-per-view in Marquez title bout hits record $20M
By Joaquin Henson
Monday, March 24, 2008
From early indications, it looks like the US pay-per-view sales for Manny Pacquiao’s win over Juan Manuel Marquez will exceed 400,000 hits – the most ever in a fight involving the Filipino icon, establishing his stature as a major player in the multi-million dollar boxing market.
Pacquaio’s adviser Michael Koncz said yesterday Top Rank chairman Bob Arum couldn’t be happier with the results.
“We’re tracking 400,000 hits right now and the figures aren’t final yet,” said Koncz. “I’m not sure if we’ll reach 500,000 but going beyond 400,000 is already a major achievement for Manny. It’s the largest pay-per-view audience for any of his fights, more than his three bouts with (Erik) Morales and two with (Marco Antonio) Barrera.”
The 400,000 hits translate to $20 million in revenues with Pacquiao to get a share of at least $2 million added to his guaranteed purse of over $5 million. The gate of over 11,000 fans kicked in income of $3.3 million.
Koncz branded Marquez as a “sore loser” for refusing to accept his defeat by split decision to Pacquiao.
“They can’t blame the judges,” he said. “They agreed to the lineup. Freddie (Roach) even suggested to replace an original judge (Bill Flaherty) to avoid controversy since he’s a family friend. The replacement (Tom Miller) scored it for Manny but when someone checked with Flaherty, he also scored it for Manny in his personal scorecard. The American TV panel saw it for Manny, too. As far as I’m concerned, there was no controversy.”
Koncz said Marquez refused to shake Pacquiao’s hand twice after the final bell in their classic 12-round battle last March 15.
“What Marquez did after the decision was announced was to ask Manny for a rematch,” said Koncz. “Manny didn’t refuse him. All Manny told him was it’s up to his promoter (Arum) and his team.”
By Joaquin Henson
Monday, March 24, 2008
From early indications, it looks like the US pay-per-view sales for Manny Pacquiao’s win over Juan Manuel Marquez will exceed 400,000 hits – the most ever in a fight involving the Filipino icon, establishing his stature as a major player in the multi-million dollar boxing market.
Pacquaio’s adviser Michael Koncz said yesterday Top Rank chairman Bob Arum couldn’t be happier with the results.
“We’re tracking 400,000 hits right now and the figures aren’t final yet,” said Koncz. “I’m not sure if we’ll reach 500,000 but going beyond 400,000 is already a major achievement for Manny. It’s the largest pay-per-view audience for any of his fights, more than his three bouts with (Erik) Morales and two with (Marco Antonio) Barrera.”
The 400,000 hits translate to $20 million in revenues with Pacquiao to get a share of at least $2 million added to his guaranteed purse of over $5 million. The gate of over 11,000 fans kicked in income of $3.3 million.
Koncz branded Marquez as a “sore loser” for refusing to accept his defeat by split decision to Pacquiao.
“They can’t blame the judges,” he said. “They agreed to the lineup. Freddie (Roach) even suggested to replace an original judge (Bill Flaherty) to avoid controversy since he’s a family friend. The replacement (Tom Miller) scored it for Manny but when someone checked with Flaherty, he also scored it for Manny in his personal scorecard. The American TV panel saw it for Manny, too. As far as I’m concerned, there was no controversy.”
Koncz said Marquez refused to shake Pacquiao’s hand twice after the final bell in their classic 12-round battle last March 15.
“What Marquez did after the decision was announced was to ask Manny for a rematch,” said Koncz. “Manny didn’t refuse him. All Manny told him was it’s up to his promoter (Arum) and his team.”
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