Boxing has long been a global phenomenon, uniting fans from different eras and regions, and therefore, we thought that with the recent record-breaking numbers from Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson on Netflix, it’s worth revisiting the most-watched events in the sport’s history.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson (2024): 60 Million Views

Jake Paul’s clash with Mike Tyson was streamed exclusively on Netflix, attracting 60 million viewers worldwide. The event peaked with 65 million concurrent viewers, while the co-main event featuring Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor brought in 50 million viewers. The accessibility of streaming allowed this fight to reach households globally, breaking barriers created by Pay-Per-View costs and setting a new standard for boxing events.

Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks II (1978): 2 Billion Viewers

"The Greatest" Muhammad Ali reclaimed his heavyweight titles in a dominant performance against Leon Spinks in front of an estimated 2 billion viewers worldwide. The fight, held at the Superdome in New Orleans, boasted a domestic U.S. audience of 90 million people, with 46.7% of televisions tuned in. It remains a landmark event in boxing history, both for Ali’s victory and its unparalleled viewership numbers.

Muhammad Ali vs. Larry Holmes (1980): 2 Billion Viewers

Ali’s "Last Hurrah" against Larry Holmes drew another estimated 2 billion global viewers. Despite the fight being marred by controversy over Ali’s declining health, its broadcast across major networks worldwide underscored Ali’s immense popularity. The event was a testament to Ali’s global status as a sporting icon, even in defeat.

Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki (1976): 1.4 Billion Viewers

A unique crossover bout between Ali and Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki captured the attention of 1.4 billion viewers globally. The fight, seen as a cultural and combat experiment, was aired live in Japan and on closed-circuit TV worldwide. While it ended in a 15-round draw, the event solidified its place in boxing lore as a precursor to today’s crossover spectacles.

Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko (2017): 500 Million Viewers

This modern classic saw rising star Anthony Joshua take on veteran Wladimir Klitschko in front of a combined 500 million viewers globally. The fight set domestic PPV records in the UK with 1.532 million buys and became the most-watched event on German television at the time.

The Pay-Per-View Era

While many of boxing’s most-watched events aired on free or network television, the Pay-Per-View era also produced legendary numbers. Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather were kings of this era, with Mayweather vs. Pacquiao pulling in 4.6 million U.S. PPV buys and Tyson vs. Holyfield II generating 1.99 million buys.

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