Each fighter was guaranteed $17.5 million, with a lot more money possible from pay-per-view sales.

Duva projects that Holyfield, who has a percentage of the pay-per-view sales, will probably take home between $15 million and $18 million.

Much of Ruiz's earnings for the fight will come from pay-per-view sales, so promotion is more than a passing interest to him.

Analysts had been expecting a bit better performance, but the business was hampered by lower advertising sales, flat subscriber growth and lower pay-per-view sales.

Time Warner lobbied for the Garden because of the media attention emanating from New York that can spur pay-per-view sales.

The U.F.C. stands up well against boxing where boxing is strongest: pay-per-view sales.

Showtime Event Television had no early gauge of pay-per-view sales for the event.

Indeed, Jones had little motivation to do so, since most of his cash would come from a $10 million guaranteed purse, in addition to money generated from pay-per-view sales.

Contreras says he's not alone, pointing to slow pay-per-view sales.

The result: more pay-per-view sales and contracts that will pay each fighter a guaranteed $17.5 million.