If you were wondering where all your money went, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have it. They literally have all the money.
The figures are in, and they are staggering to the point where they are almost meaningless. The May 2 fight destroyed every financial record you can think of – 4.4 million pay-per-views, generating more then $400 million USD in revenue, and handing Mayweather around $230 million and Pacquiao $160 million.
The bout smashed the previous record of 2.48 million PPV buys set from Mayweather vs De La Hoya in 2007 and almost tripled the $150 million in PPV revenue generated by Mayweather’s victory over Canelo Alvarez in 2013.
Gross revenue for the ‘Fight of the Century’ is expected to exceed $550 million when you also consider sales for sponsorships, merchandise and foreign TV rights – destroying the old mark of $200 million.
So, with the Budget just handed down last night, and the deficit expected to soar to record levels, let’s take a look at how Floyd and Manny could help our country through the impending economic slowdown.
This is what 43 minutes of fighting could have funded:
1. Own the entire nation of Australia’s metadata: The Pac-Man could know your filthy, shameful internet history by using his cut to pay for the $131 million needed to capture all of our metadada.
2. Defeat ISIS: If the two pitch in half of their money they could defeat ISIS! $382 million has been assigned to support Operation Okra, our contribution to the coalition helping the Iraqi Government “disrupt, degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL”.
3. Fund Australia’s Intelligence Agencies: The TV revenue alone could cover the $450 million boost to intelligence capabilities
4. Give the ABC its money back: After last year’s cuts, 400 ABC employees, TV shows, radio programs and five regional radio bureaus could be restored with Floyd’s paycheck alone
5. Help mentally ill kids find work: The $72mn taken in from ticket gate receipts could target vulnerable young job seekers with mental health conditions as part of the Youth Employment Strategy
Bonus fact: The PPV revenue generated by the two boxers in the 43 minute fight is more or less equal to the total annual GDP of Tonga ($454mn) – a nation of 100,323 people.
Let’s get ready to rumble! Pick a fighter and place your bets with PlayUp for great odds. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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