UP to 20million people illegally streamed Tyson Fury’s blockbuster demolition of Deontay Wilder.
In stark contrast, there were only around 800,000 legitimate Pay Per View buys of the WBC heavyweight showdown in Las Vegas.
Fury celebrates win over Wilder in Las VegasCredit: AFP or licensors
The whopping PPV price of £62 in the States was a major gripe for fight fans.
And American magazine Sports Illustrated gave the huge figure of between 10 and 20m for those who turned to watching the action by clandestine means.
‘Gypsy King’ Fury completed one of the great sporting comebacks when Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round at the MGM Grand.
Their first fight in December 2018 was controversially ruled as a draw by the judges.
Most pundits felt Fury edged it, despite being knocked down twice – including one Lazarus-like recovery in the final round.
Fury was out of the ring for two years following a failed drugs test. He ballooned to a huge 28 stone while downing booze and cocaine – and even contemplated suicide.
He is now aiming for a unification showdown with fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.
But first he has to deal with a Wilder trilogy fight after the American activated his rematch clause.
And Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn blasted fans who watch big fights on illegal platforms, claiming they are effectively stealing from their heroes.
He said: “One of the problems is that there are so many illegal streams now, the price becomes unbearable to the customer.
“One thing I’ll tell you about illegal streams is that people think that it’s clever.
“It’s illegal by the way, that’s why it’s called an illegal stream, but people think it’s clever… you’re taking money out of the fighters’ pockets.
Wilder is wobblingCredit: USA TODAY Sports
“On Pay Per Views the money goes to the fighters. Don’t think it’s affecting me, because it’s not.
“It might be a tiny bit but not what it’s affecting the fighter.
“The thing about illegal streams is, if you’re price point is £19.99 with the undercard, you’ve got to give value for five or six hours for the night.
“You’ve got to sell to the customer an experience where you sit down, you can watch world championship boxing, great young fighters, 50-50 fights, and then build to the main event.”
John Fury comically shouts “HE CAME FROM THESE BALLS” in Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
