Dec 07 2008
Pacquiao Wins But Who Was Watching?
Manny Pacquiao was a two-to-one underdog heading into Saturday’s fight against Oscar De La Hoya, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers. Pacquiao won the first round on two of the three ringside judges’ scorecards. He swept the next seven rounds. As the fight progressed, Pacquiao’s advantage became more pronounced.
De La Hoya’s corner threw in the towel before the ninth round started. Officially, Pacquiao won an eighth-round technical knockout. Unofficially, De La Hoya–the “Golden Boy” since he was the only American to win a boxing gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics–is likely to retire again. Until the next big payday comes his way.
Speaking of payday, how many people paid to watch the fight? One could buy the standard-definition telecast for $54.95. The high-definition broadcast was available for $64.95. Promoters hoped for 1.5 million buys, or subscriptions. Imagine if football, baseball, basketball or auto racing bragged that 1.5 million households and bars were tuned into their biggest events of the year. No wonder boxing is struggling so mightily.
