Now that Canelo Alvarez is on top of the boxing hierarchy, many people have an opinion on how he does business.
Imo since he’s currently the biggest star in the sport he should be fighting on the biggest platform to generate the most revenue for himself. Fighting on PPV he will have an unlimited ceiling on what he can make in one night by being his own boss. https://t.co/f1DuhR3Nja
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 10, 2021
Although his fight against Billy Joe Saunders yielded the largest in-venue turnout since the pandemic at over 70,000 spectators at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; the fight was not a pay-per-view but was instead streamed on DAZN.
I’m positive he’s getting paid extremely well and treated very well but currently he has a ceiling on what he can make with his biggest fights ahead of him. https://t.co/dBzineKyEV
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 10, 2021
However, Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, and one-third of the triumvirate that made Floyd Mayweather, Jr. the most profitable athlete in history, voiced his opinion on Canelo’s moves.
🤦🏽♂️ PPV is global. This is no knock on Matchroom putting on great shows. Canelo has a loyal fan base that will continue to support him no what he does or what platform he’s on. But fighting on PPV he can make an unlimited amount of money. https://t.co/obCgoBJ3UH
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 10, 2021
After orchestrating six of the top ten highest-grossing pay-per-views of all time, Ellerbe understands the boxing business.
So his surprise at Canelo Alvarez’s decision take a flat fee for his co-promoted events with Matchroom Boxing on the DAZN streaming platform is understandable.
He’s driving the train and can make any deal he wants with anyone, but if you’re the biggest star in the sport why wouldn’t you put yourself in the best situation to generate the most money for yourself? https://t.co/TJsDzwt2o0
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 10, 2021
Ellerbe along with boxing mega advisor Al Haymon and superstar athlete, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. own the top four highest grossing pay-per-view boxing events of all time.
Imo Plant, Charlo, Benavidez are all big PPV fights with an unlimited ceiling on what he can make. Can you imagine Floyd being the biggest star and not fighting on PPV. Btw the PPV revenue is only ONE stream of the revenue in big fights. https://t.co/Rz1V3pehs3
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 11, 2021
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, Mayweather vs. McGregor, Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez, and Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya generated as high as 4.6 million and 2.48 million buys respectively.
The numbers place no ceiling on earning potential, and with Canelo Alvarez now the most famous active professional boxer in the world, why he is sticking with a deal capped at a certain fee is baffling.
Fans can decide what they want to watch/pay for. I’m not telling fans what to not support, it’s just my opinion based on my experience working with the fighter who has generated the most revenue in the history of the sport🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/gsl2KWmiPC
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 11, 2021
After dismantling Billy Joe Saunders to become the unified super middleweight world champion, Canleo Albatez now eyes IBF super middleweight Caleb Plant in a hunt to become to the first-ever undisputed super middleweight champion.
Lol, Rick this makes absolutely zero sense. You obviously don’t know how much money he’s leaving on the table moving forward w his star power/fan base. If he was with TR where would he be fighting? Maybe the HOF promoter Arum will educate you on how this works I’m too busy. https://t.co/vx51jOJmkh
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 11, 2021
Plant, who is with Premier Boxing Champions, might have some leverage in negotiating as he is the only man standing in Canelo’s way. In addition, the deals Al Haymon has with Showtime PPV might be attractive to a newly freed Canelo Alvarez.
