Pacquiao-Margarito generated 1.15 million buys

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Manny Pacquiao’s record eighth weight-class world title drew 1.15 million pay-per-view buyers, HBO announced Tuesday, giving the Filipino star boxer a million-seller in three consecutive years.

Pacquiao’s Nov. 13 unanimous decision over Tijuana’s Antonio Margarito in a junior-middleweight bout at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, created $64 million in pay-per-view revenue, on top of gate sales generated by the 41,000 in attendance.

Pacquiao earlier this year enjoyed 700,000 pay-per-view buys for another decision, over an obscure fighter from Ghana, Joshua Clottey.

Pacquiao’s last five fights have resulted in 5.1 million buys, including his 2008 ninth-round stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya (1.25 million buys) and his November 2009 victory over Miguel Cotto (1.2 million buys).

‘We’re thrilled with the performance,’ HBO pay-per-view executive Mark Taffet said. ‘There is a real buzz around boxing right now, and fans are looking forward to some great fights.’

Like Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said he’d like to hear from the Mayweather camp by mid-December, when he’ll visit Pacquiao in the Philippines for the fighter/congressman’s birthday party.

Should Mayweather remain unavailable, Arum said Pacquiao’s options include Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez or a rematch with Cotto.

-- Lance Pugmire