How did Evander Holyfield become a big PPV draw?

[WARQUEZ]

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?

[Elroy1]

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!

[jaded]

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?

Did you ever see his fights...he was great! He was tough as hell and a great champion with a huge following. And yes the heavyweight division was the premier division...it was where the biggest money was.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Probably because he was the real deal.

[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.

[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.

[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.......

[#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?

[Elroy1]

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!

[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