The Fury-Ngannou crossover event, hyped as a monumental clash, reportedly suffered a knockout blow in pay-per-view (PPV) sales, drawing a paltry 11,500 TV buys and 56,000 on the ESPN+ app in the U.S. The staggering $79.99 price tag, coupled with a mismatch-heavy undercard devoid of appeal to the American audience, seems to have led to the event’s commercial downfall. Critics suggest that the Saudis, who funded the event with the hopes of a lucrative return, might need to rethink their strategy before committing to the proposed Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk bout in Saudi Arabia come February.
Tyson Fury’s draw power in the U.S. market has been questioned, with some attributing his past PPV success solely to Deontay Wilder’s involvement. The recent event did little to bolster Fury’s appeal, especially with a performance that lacked the excitement fans crave. With the Fury-Ngannou fight barely causing a ripple in the sporting conversation leading up to the bout, attention inadvertently shifted to John Fury’s call-out of Mike Tyson.
The aftermath of the fight has left the sports community wondering whether the Saudis will invest further in Fury’s fights or shift their focus to boxers who resonate more with Western audiences. Despite Fury’s past achievements, his recent choices of opponents have done little to maintain his popularity, as noted by Eddie Hearn. Hearn’s comments post-fight reflect a growing skepticism about Fury’s current form and his prospects against a formidable opponent like Usyk.
As the dust settles, the financial implications of the underwhelming PPV figures may prompt a strategic reassessment for future events, especially those involving Fury, whose star power appears to be on the wane. The boxing world awaits the Saudis’ next move, but one thing is clear: the sweet science of boxing thrives on excitement and competition, elements that were notably missing from the Fury-Ngannou bout.
Image Credit: Sky Sports