Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort - September 11, 2021

[ValMar]

The whole idea of an "exhibition" is beyond idiotic. It's like a boxing version of pro wrestling.

[Ruthless-RKO]

h Reportedly a Box Office Dud, Nets a Paltry 150k Pay-Per-View Buys



According to boxing journalist Dan Rafael, sources say the fight generated around 150,000 PPV buys. If that number holds, it will represent a massive fail for Triller, who promoted and sold the PPV event for $49.99.

In comparison, Mike Tyson’s return to the ring against Roy Jones Jr. last year surpassed a reported 1.6 million PPV buys, or more than 10 times the reported amount of Triller’s Holyfield bout.

Triller brought former president Donald Trump on board last week, in a desperate attempt to add juice to the fight and provide alternate commentary of the event. The former president’s boxing prowess dates back decades, having welcomed some of the world’s best fighters to Trump Plaza in Atlantic City long before the dying venue imploded earlier this year.

But even Trump, who loves to falsely criticize other sports for their dwindling popularity by invoking the “go woke, go broke” narrative, wasn’t enough of a draw to help this dud of a boxing match. While the NBA and NFL watch their TV ratings start to bounce back from a deplorable 2020, the Triller-Trump partnership just oversaw an epic fail for boxing.

[RScarf1]

The NBA and NFL ratings had nowhere to go but up after last year with the plandemic and social justice messages.

[Enlightened-One]

The whole idea of an "exhibition" is beyond idiotic. It's like a boxing version of pro wrestling.

The only exhibition bouts I consider idiotic are those that are mis-sold as legitimate meaningful fights contributing to a fighters’ record.

I have no problem seeing events honestly marketed as “safe” exhibitions staged for charity or pure entertainment purposes.

If we know what we’re getting, we can make an informed decision about whether to watch them or not.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The whole idea of an "exhibition" is beyond idiotic. It's like a boxing version of pro wrestling.

The only exhibition bouts I consider idiotic are those that are mis-sold as legitimate meaningful fights contributing to a fighters’ record.

I have no problem seeing events honestly marketed as “safe” exhibitions staged for charity or pure entertainment purposes.

If we know what we’re getting, we can make an informed decision about whether to watch them or not.

But then it depends on fans too.

I think Hardcore fans knew what Tyson-Jones was gonna be, but the casuals were eating it all up..

[Enlightened-One]

The whole idea of an "exhibition" is beyond idiotic. It's like a boxing version of pro wrestling.

The only exhibition bouts I consider idiotic are those that are mis-sold as legitimate meaningful fights contributing to a fighters’ record.

I have no problem seeing events honestly marketed as “safe” exhibitions staged for charity or pure entertainment purposes.

If we know what we’re getting, we can make an informed decision about whether to watch them or not.

But then it depends on fans too.

I think Hardcore fans knew what Tyson-Jones was gonna be, but the casuals were eating it all up..

It’s a tricky one really, because the CSAC clearly explained the rules of the exhibition, which weren’t refuted by anyone working on the Tyson-Jones Jr. event.

So if mainstream casuals refuse to listen or don’t pay attention, because they’ve got more important things going on in their lives than boxing, then there are always going to be expectation gaps.

That said, Triller’s matchmaking for last weekend’s event, coupled with their fraudulent conduct, was utterly disgraceful.

[Ruthless-RKO]

According to Michael Woods, he has said:

I’ve been told by a credible source with no dog in the hunt that, in fact, the Holyfield-Belfort show might hit 100,000 buys, but probably won’t.

That would indicate the main event gained so-so traction among potential patrons, and that the addition of Donald Trump and Don Jr on commentary didn’t provide a hoped-for boost to make up for the loss of De La Hoya.

I asked a Triller rep to touch base regarding the number Rafael reported on Thursday, and will share a response if one is furnished.

Triller gets another opportunity to conjure intrigue and gain revenue to offset costs like purses and production when they trot out a Teofimo Lopez-George Kambosos Jr topped slate from the Hulu Theater on Monday, Oct. 4.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Donald Trump Reportedly Paid $2.5 Million To Attend Evander Holyfield Vs. Vitor Belfort