On May 5, 2007, Las Vegas hosted one of the most important fights in modern boxing history. At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Oscar De La Hoya defended his WBC super welterweight title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a fight that generated over $130 million in revenue and broke pay-per-view records.
The buildup alone changed the game. HBO’s 24/7 series brought fans inside both camps, turning the fight into a global spectacle. De La Hoya entered as the established pay-per-view king, while Mayweather was already recognized as the best pound-for-pound fighter - but still proving he could carry boxing financially.
Inside the ring, the fight was competitive early. De La Hoya used his size and jab to press forward, throwing in volume and trying to dictate the pace. But as the rounds progressed, a familiar pattern emerged. Mayweather adjusted, tightened his defense, and began landing the cleaner, more accurate punches. While De La Hoya stayed active, many of his shots were blocked or missed, while Mayweather’s counters consistently found the target.
After twelve rounds, Mayweather won by split decision (115–113, 116–112, 113–115), capturing the WBC title. Statistically, the difference was clear - he outlanded De La Hoya by a wide margin and showed superior accuracy throughout the fight. Opinions were split, but most observers agreed that Mayweather’s precision outweighed De La Hoya’s aggression.
The impact of the fight went far beyond the result. With 2.4 million pay-per-view buys, it set a new benchmark for boxing events and redefined the sport’s business model. De La Hoya earned a record $52 million purse, while Mayweather took $25 million and, more importantly, stepped into a new role.
Watch the official full fight: Watch
Image Credit: ESPN