Benavidez Vs. Morrell PPV Numbers Announced – Was It A Success?

David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr.’s fight reportedly sold between 150,000-160,000 PPVs. 

The fight was a WBC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator, as Benavidez won a unanimous decision. He survived a knockdown in the 11th round to come out victorious. It was the first defeat of Morrell’s career, while Benavidez is now mandatory for the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. Those two boxers will fight for undisputed on February 22. Morrell managed to hang in there before Benavidez stepped on the gas and pulled away with a decision win. Those numbers were impressive, given the circumstances around the fight.

It was priced at $79.95, meaning that it was at the pricey end. Those numbers are solid since Benavidez is not considered a PPV star, nor is Morrell. They are both looking for their breakout win, primarily against Canelo Alvarez. But they have yet to secure that fight. The fight also did well, given that it was put on PBC. PBC has not hit the heights they once had when they were with Showtime. Their deal with Amazon Prime Video has seen far fewer events being put on with the aim of establishing more quality. The boxing landscape has shifted towards Saudi Arabia, with DAZN becoming one of the leading broadcasters out there. 

PPV Numbers

The numbers help Benavidez potentially secure a bout with Canelo Alvarez. The Mexican Monster showed that he can sell PPVs views when he is with the right dancing partner. It is not exactly clear how much of those buys were due to Morrell. But Benavidez managed to headline an event in a month where fans will watch the undisputed light heavyweight fight. The Benavidez-Morell fight could have easily flopped.

Boxing fans could have reduced their purchasing power from this fight in favor of the Beterbiev-Bivol bout. The PPV numbers show that Benavidez’s star power is increasing. The Mexican Monster has repeatedly said that he still wants the Canelo fight. Canelo’s recent four-fight deal with the Saudis may increase the prospect of that fight happening.

“Imagine if Canelo would just agree and fight me already. It’s not about the money. It’s about what the sport needs right now, and we owe it to the fans. Without a doubt, It would go down as the best Mexican shootout in boxing history. Let’s give the fans what they deserve!!! We [are] 300 percent confident on this side but I can’t say the same for the other side,” Benavidez said

Reports indicate that he will fight Terence Crawford in September, while he will face William Scull in May. But the Saudis have said that Canelo will have a big boxing bout, increasing speculation that it could be Benavidez. Benavidez has just gone through a training camp, putting him in prime condition. Canelo may be forced to take the big fights, having signed the deal. Regardless, fans had plenty to say about Benavidez’s commercial pulling power as there was a mixed response.