The fight between heavyweight world titlist Deontay Wilder and lineal champion Tyson Fury on Dec. 1 generated approximately 325,000 pay-per-view buys, multiple industry sources have told ESPN.
Wilder and Fury fought to a draw in the Showtime PPV main event in an exciting fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Wilder knocked Fury down twice in the classic heavyweight championship fight, dropping him in the ninth round before scoring a thunderous knockdown in the 12th round that Fury shockingly survived.
But Fury outboxed Wilder for long stretches in the bout and in the end the judges ruled the fight a split draw: 115-111 for Wilder, 114-112 for Fury and 113-113.
Showtime declined to comment on the pay-per-view figures, but the total is considered a success given that neither fighter had ever appeared on pay-per-view previously and Fury was largely unknown to the American public because he had had very little television exposure.
Based on 325,000 buys, the pay-per-view grossed around $24 million, though about half that money goes to the cable and satellite providers.
Wilder (40-0-1, 39 KOs), 33, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who made his eighth title defense, and Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs), 30, of England, who was defending the lineal crown for the first time, have spoken about an immediate rematch since. It could take place as soon as April.
The WBC, whose title Wilder holds, already has announced that it would sanction a rematch if the camps elect to make a deal.
Showtime's delayed broadcast of the fight on Saturday night drew fairly strong viewership for the week-old fight, averaging 488,000 viewers and peaking at 590,000, according to Nielsen Media Research.
