In late night for most of the U.S., ESPN’s live boxing telecast of the WBO World Welterweight Championship: Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn in the “Battle of Brisbane” from Australia generated a total audience delivery (television and streaming) of 3.1 million viewers across the ESPN and ESPN Deportes networks, according to Fast National ratings from Nielsen.
The bout peaked during its final half hour with 4.4 million viewers across both networks.
The ESPN TV-only telecast averaged a 1.6 household rating and 2.812 million viewers, making it the highest-rated and most-watched boxing telecast on cable TV since 2006. Carlos Baldomir vs. Arturo Gatti on HBO on July 22, 2006, earned a 1.6 household rating.
Pacquiao-Horn was also the highest-rated boxing telecast on ESPN’s networks since 1995. Danell Nicholson vs. Darren Hayden on ESPN, on Dec. 21, 1995 earned a 1.7 household rating.
Las Vegas was the telecast’s top local market with a 4.0 metered market rating, including a 5.1 rating during the main event. The top five markets also included Los Angeles (3.7), Raleigh-Durham (3.6), New Orleans (3.1), and San Diego (3.0).