Former TV Producer Backs Boxing Insider’s Disappointing Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin PPV Reports

Last year, the Gervonta Davis–Ryan Garcia fight, with roughly 1.2 million PPV buys, made it across the nine-figure mark in revenues. According to available sources, the match netted an amount in the neighborhood of $102 million. After a year-long break, Davis returned for a title defense. He faced the unbeaten Frank Martin. Now, fans and critics are well aware that ‘Tank’ is one of the biggest draws in boxing. But what about ‘The Ghost’? Does he match the star power of Garcia? After all, it takes two to tango. ‘Tank’ and ‘KingRy’ joined hands to create a blockbuster money spinner. So were ‘Tank’ and ‘The Ghost’ able to create similar magic?

Reportedly, it takes about ten days or more by the time dust settles on the kind of pay-per-view business a fight would have done. However, speculations are rife over the PPV earnings of the June 15 match at the MGM Grand Arena. New York State Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and veteran matchmaker Rick Glaser shared a number early this week. Amidst doubts and suspicions, many would find it somewhat discouraging. Now, a former television producer has shared a fresh update on the Davis-Martin PPV business. Going by what he said, fans might be in for a surprise. It wasn’t too far off Glaser’s numbers.

Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin: Punching above or below the bills?

“WON on #TankFrank PPV buys,” wrote former television producer (going by the X/Twitter profile description) Jed I. Goodman. He further elaborated on having some preliminary television viewership numbers. However, it would roughly take a week before he could present a more accurate and clear picture. 

“There were reports going around of under 200K. Based on what I’ve gotten, that’s probably within the range,” said Goodman. But the interesting part was the comparison he managed between the Davis-Martin fight and All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) 2024 ‘Double or Nothing’. The PPV pro-wrestling event on May 26 took place at the same venue where the boxing match occurred, MGM Grand Arena.

“It was well above Double or Nothing,” he said. However, he further added that the boxing match’s business would have been somewhere near or maybe even better than what AEW’s other big show, one of its ‘Big Four’ PPVs, ‘Revolution’ did. “I’d say 150K to 220K would be the range,” said Jed I. Goodman.

Early in the week, Rick Glaser tweeted, “If #TankDavis faces anyone other than #Loma next, that’ll be what in this era is called “ducking.” That needs no other explanation.” Forewarning about the actual PPV numbers of the Davis-Martin fight, the boxing insider argued that the Baltimorean will have to face an opponent whose stature matches that of Ryan Garcia if he intends to churn out another rainmaker.

King, for a win or a loss

However, a user responded, “I know that fight sold 400k plus ppv. If I’m wrong, how many you think it sold? Cause Tank is a huge ppv star and now fight nonthing but the best he can rematch Rolly and sell more fights, then with Loma, anybody he fight that has a belt in 140 will outsell Loma.” Pat came the reply from the boxing matchmaker, “Didn’t do 200,000.”

There’s some point in Rick Glaser’s message. Both Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia have given hints of a rematch. However, the latter might be out of boxing for at least a year. So what options are left for ‘Tank’? Aside from Vasyl Lomachenko, the other big name in 135 pounds is that of Shakur Stevenson. Otherwise, he might as well climb up a division and chase either Isaac Cruz for a rematch or take on Teofimo Lopez. But the question still remains. Can anyone match the salability of ‘KingRy’?

What’s your take on the ‘Tank’ Davis-Frank Martin pay-per-view buys? Do you think the range of 150,000 to 220,000 appears most reasonable to settle with?