Tyson Fight Could Draw Million-Plus

Mike Tyson’s comeback fight Aug. 19 could reach 1 million buys and challenge the 4-year-old pay-per-view TV record of Evander Holyfield-George Foreman.

On Friday, Showtime Entertainment Television announced distribution agreements with the nation’s two largest pay-per-view networks, Viewer’s Choice and Request, in addition to a prior agreement with TCI, the country’s largest cable operator.

“The top-performing boxing matches all had more than 1 million homes purchase them,” said Mac Lipscomb, SET executive vice president and general manager. “Right now, it’s tough to know based on where we are with the pricing schedule, but I think a million homes is not unreasonable. Who knows?”

Holyfield-Foreman in April 1991 was purchased by 1.36 million homes and, at an average price of $35.95, grossed $48.9 million.

The suggested cost of Tyson’s fight with Pete McNeely at Las Vegas is from $39.95-$59.95.

“We did extensive research in four areas before setting the pricing guidelines,” Lipscomb said. “First, we went back to boxing fans who had purchased before and asked them what they would pay. Then, we went to sports fans in general. Next, we went to cable operators and asked them what they thought their market would do from a pricing point of view. Finally, we did a national telephone survey.”