— This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on August 28, Monday.
This mega-hyped boxing match is given two titles. Firstly, it is widely regarded as a cross-sport match. Reason being that 40-year-old Mayweather is a legendary American boxer, maintaining 49 unbeaten records, while the 29-year-old McGregor is a featherweight and lightweight double champion at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
This match is so phenomenal because both Mayweather and McGregor have a significant audience appeal and commercial impact and also it is the match between leaders of professional boxing and UFC, making it the mostly highly-anticipated sport event of the year. Held in Las Vegas, this cross-sport match has attracted the attention of boxing and fighting fans around the world. Due to a surge in single-pay-per-view audiences before the game, organizers were even forced to delay the opening.
In addition, the boxing match is also known as the "money match", because no matter the champion, either side brings home a substantial income. Not counting in broadcast, ticketing and sponsorship income, the guaranteed purse for Mayweather is USD100 million. His total income is likely to reach USD300 million after the inclusion of these incomes.
"If I see any opportunity to make 300, 350 million in 36 minutes, why not. I had to do it. why not? but this is the last one, you guys have my word. I had a great career."
In addition to having USD30 million, McGregor's income is likely to be as high as USD100 million, which is more than what he had earned in all his previous matches combined.
This match also set a new record for pay-per-view numbers. Data show that broadcasting, tickets, sponsorship and sales of other related products are expected to generate more than USD700 million at least.
It broke the USD600 million total sales revenue record held by the 2015 match of the century between Mayweather and the Philippines boxer, Pacquiao. Furthermore, this current match also generated USD80million in viewership revenue which was more than the 2015 Mayweather-Pacquiao match which raked in USD72 million.
Indeed, the commercial value of these two fighters is definitely comparable to United States most valuable sporting events, the Superbowl. It is not just a match between fighting champions, it is also a match of money.
CNBC's Qian Chen reporting from Singapore.