The first undisputed boxing heavyweight title fight in 25 years proved to be a monetary success with over 20 million viewers worldwide. However, a vast majority of fans who watched the historic championship bout did so without spending a dime.
In the fallout from the monumental event on May 18, early reports suggest over 20 million fans illegally streamed the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight. While illegal streams have been on the rise over the last decade, the jaw-dropping number suggests one of the several reasons why boxing is no longer in its heyday.
20 Million People Illegally Streamed Undisputed Heavyweight Title Fight
In a back-and-forth affair, May 18 ended up being the crowning moment of Oleksandr Usyk’s career after he was given a split decision victory over Tyson Fury to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. However, the Ukrainian likely was cheated out of an even larger paycheck than the one he was cut the following week.
In a report from The Daily Mail, the technological intelligence company Yield Sec conducted a study that reported an estimated 20 million viewers used illegal streams to tune into the fight. Multiple sources claimed different numbers on legitimate pay-per-view purchases, though the reported numbers revolved around 3 million.
Daily Mail and Yield Sec reported that approximately 45 percent of illegal stream viewers were from the United Kingdom, with 25 percent from North America. DAZN, the primary provider of the event pay-per-view, also reported mo
If Yield Sec’s claim is close to accurate, the fight would have easily set the record for the most purchased pay-per-view in boxing history had each viewer legally obliged. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao currently own the top spot, with their 2015 bout reeling in 4.5 million buys.
Increasing Issues with the Pay-Per-View Model
Illegal streams have increased exponentially over the years, with the combat sports fanbase growing, but illegitimate streams are becoming easier to access. In the early stages of the sport — the years dominated by big-name draws like heavyweights Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson — boxing was at its peak, and the only way to get access to the major fights was through pay-per-view purchases.
However, in 2024, some streams are found with a simple Google search, while most hardcore fans have their go-to sites in mind for all vital events. Even some of the most moral fans have switched to relying on illegal streams over the years due to their accessibility and the cost of up to $100 a month racking up.
With most combat sports choosing to air their most marketed events on pay-per-view, the ongoing issue with illegal streams goes beyond the sport of boxing. UFC CEO Dana White has expressed frustration with the problem on several occasions but is continuously unable to deliver on his vow to shut down the applicable websites.
An unnamed representative of DAZN told the Daily Mail that the company invests a “significant amount” of assets in combatting illegal streams but such efforts are thwarted by the ever-increasing presence of new sites providing the same service.
About the Author
Jaren Kawada is a freelance sports writer from Indianapolis, Indiana with a strong passion for MMA and sports betting. Kawada has also written for Sportskeeda MMA, FanSided MMA, and BetSided as a combat sports analyst. Follow on X/Twitter at @jarenkawada1.
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