Wilder/Ortiz stands above the pack
Boxing isn’t dead, do you remember me saying that? Because ive said it at least three times …
Last weekend’s WBC Heavyweight Title fight between Champion Deontay Wilder, and Cuban challenger Luis Ortiz was responsible for Showtime Boxing’s best viewership for three years! In fact the last time the network did such good numbers for a boxing card THE very same Deontay Wilder was in the ring for his first fight against Bermaine Stiverne.
Wilder’s gallant fight from a disastrous seventh round against Ortiz drew a peak audience of 1.2 million viewers and averaged 1.1 million viewers. What makes this all the more an impressive feat is that the fight was up against a UFC PPV, NBA on ABC and of course the HBO boxing card being fought just five miles across the city of New York.
Back in January 2015, Deontay Wilder and Bermaine Stiverne’s first fight did an average viewership of 1.24 million viewers peaking at 1.35 million. Their second bout drawing much lower figures of an average 824,000 and a peak of 887,000.
Prior to Saturday’s bout Mikey Garcia and Adrien Broner were responsible for Showtime’s highest ratings post January 2015. With an 881,000 average and a 937,000 peak.
In a fight that didn’t disappoint inside of the ring, boxing’s big men proved a big hit outside of it.
Wilder/Ortiz II anyone?
By: Aaron Cooper
