Mayweather takes big year to the bank

Neither party had reason to complain last week when the final totals were announced: 850,000 buys, grossing $47 million. While Mayweather missed out on back-to-back seven-figure buys — his May 5 victory over Oscar De La Hoya achieved 2.4 million purchases — he proved he could carry a promotion that didn’t have De La Hoya’s name attached.

Mayweather’s two fights in 2007 generated a staggering $181 million in pay-per-view revenue on 3.25 million purchases. Mayweather himself made about $50 million.

“Outstanding numbers,” said Mark Taffet, HBO senior vice president of sports operations. “Mayweather-Hatton was the highest-grossing pay-per-view that didn’t have (Mike) Tyson, (Evander) Holyfield or Oscar.

“Floyd Mayweather had a remarkable 2007. Mayweather-Hatton brought in many new fans in new markets and new demographics.”

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s adviser and longtime friend, was equally thrilled.

“It was like hitting 14 home runs,” he said. “To do 850,000 and $47 million with a guy (Hatton) who’s never been on pay per view? That’s tremendous. We’re very pleased.”

In 2007, HBO Pay-Per-View had 4.8 million buys for eight boxing events and $255 million in revenue. Its previous high was 1999 with 4 million buys for $200 million. Taffet credited the “24/7” reality shows that preceded Mayweather-De La Hoya and Mayweather-Hatton for the network’s banner year.

“24/7 was one of the most important developments ever. It introduced millions of people to boxing,” Taffet said.

The Feb. 16 middleweight fight between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor at the MGM Grand Garden also will receive the “24/7” treatment. If De La Hoya returns to the ring as he has indicated, any of his fights will get “24/7” coverage, as will all Mayweather bouts.

But now there’s a new wrinkle. Ellerbe and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban say Mayweather is considering competing in mixed martial arts. Mayweather has talked to Cuban about getting involved in HDNet Fights, Cuban’s new MMA company.

• DEBUT DELAYED — Emily Klinefelter was supposed to make her professional debut Thursday on the Top Rank card at the Hard Rock Hotel. But the 23-year-old student from Iowa City, Iowa, was without an opponent because Cynthia Talmadge failed to make the 119-pound limit.

“It was a big letdown,” Klinefelter said. “All the last- minute preparations. I had to take my (final exams) early so I could get here. But on the bright side, I look at it as a trial run. I’m learning a lot. And I got a free trip to Vegas.”

Klinefelter, who has bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Spanish from the University of Iowa, is going for a Masters in Accounting. She is expected to graduate in the spring, but hopes to make her pro debut before then, perhaps on Top Rank’s Feb. 7 card at the Hard Rock.

“We’ll see,” said Klinefelter, who began boxing in 2001. “I’m going to stay in the gym and keep training. But I would love to fight (in Las Vegas).”

• KAPLAN’S LEGACY — The death of boxing historian Hank Kaplan, 88, from cancer on Dec. 14 will leave a significant void in boxing information. But his impressive collection of fight memorabilia, books, magazines and notes will help his legacy live on in his native Brooklyn, N.Y.

The collection, which contains thousands of photographs and every copy of The Ring magazine ever produced, will be archived at Brooklyn College.

Kaplan was widely considered the foremost boxing resource and was a 2006 inductee in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y. He helped found the Hall in 1989.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.