Eddie Hearn Reveals Canelo vs. GGG 3 Generated 850,000 PPV Buys in the US

Trilogy Fight Between Canelo and Gennady Golovkin Delivers Solid Pay-Per-View Numbers

Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Boxing, has revealed that the highly anticipated trilogy fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin drew around 850,000 pay-per-view (PPV) buys in the United States. The fight, which took place on September 17, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marked the third chapter in one of boxing’s most storied rivalries.

Solid PPV Numbers Reflect Continued Interest in Canelo vs. GGG Rivalry

Despite the fact that both fighters were at different stages of their careers compared to their earlier clashes, the Canelo vs. Golovkin 3 event still managed to attract a significant number of viewers. The fight was broadcast on DAZN PPV, and the 850,000 buys from the U.S. market alone showcase the enduring popularity of both fighters, especially Canelo, who remains one of the sport’s biggest global stars.

Eddie Hearn confirmed these figures during an interview, suggesting that the final number could fluctuate slightly. However, 850,000 PPV buys represents a solid performance, especially in a market where PPV sales have faced competition from streaming services and other forms of entertainment.

Comparison to Previous Canelo vs. GGG Fights

The trilogy fight between Canelo and GGG fell short of the PPV buys generated by their first two encounters, which were co-promoted by HBO. The first fight, which ended in a controversial draw in 2017, garnered approximately 1.3 million PPV buys. Their rematch in 2018, which saw Canelo win a closely contested decision, did even better, racking up around 1.1 million PPV buys.

While the third bout did not match the numbers of the previous two, the context is important. Canelo and Golovkin met for the third time at a different point in their careers, with Canelo having recently suffered a loss to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, and Golovkin, now 40 years old, fighting for the first time at super middleweight.

Additionally, the fight occurred in a more crowded sports landscape, with more competition for audience attention.

The Fight and Its Aftermath

In their third and final encounter, Canelo Alvarez defeated Gennady Golovkin by unanimous decision to retain his undisputed super middleweight titles. While the bout lacked the intensity of their previous two fights, it still captured the attention of boxing fans, given the historical significance of their rivalry.

Canelo, who is widely regarded as the face of boxing, praised Golovkin for his tenacity after the fight but made it clear that the trilogy was now closed. “I’m glad to share the ring with him, we gave the fans three good fights,” Canelo said after the fight.

Golovkin, on the other hand, dismissed any talk of retirement, suggesting that he still had more to give in the sport. “I still feel great,” Golovkin stated. “This fight is finished, but I have more plans in the ring.”

Strong Commercial Performance Amidst Challenging PPV Landscape

Despite not reaching the heights of their previous PPV figures, the 850,000 buys for Canelo vs. GGG 3 highlight the continued drawing power of both fighters. In an era where streaming services and other entertainment options have fragmented audiences, the event’s strong showing is a testament to the legacy of the rivalry and the global appeal of Canelo Alvarez.

Eddie Hearn had previously predicted a strong PPV performance, emphasizing that the trilogy had all the ingredients of a successful event: a long-standing rivalry, two global stars, and a high-stakes fight for Canelo’s undisputed super middleweight crown. The final tally of 850,000 buys reflects the continued appetite for marquee matchups in the sport of boxing.

What’s Next for Canelo and GGG?

With the trilogy now in the books, both fighters face questions about their next moves. Canelo Alvarez has indicated that he is considering taking time off to recover from a wrist injury but remains open to a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, who handed him his first loss in nearly a decade. A return to light heavyweight to avenge that loss would be a major event for 2023.

As for Gennady Golovkin, the 40-year-old Kazakh fighter remains a champion at middleweight and has expressed interest in continuing his career. While a fourth fight with Canelo seems unlikely, GGG still has plenty of options in the middleweight division, where he holds two world titles.

Follow NoSmokeBoxing on X