At Mobo Media we have always been keen promoters of social media, believing it to be the best platform to create and maintain hype.
If you had access to the internet over the bank holiday weekend then no doubt you were bombarded by tweets and posts about ‘the fight of the century’, with the world excited to see champions Mayweather and Pacquiao fight it out in Vegas. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram was where the fight was lived out with fans, critics and the opponents themselves narrating this legendary battle.
Most Tweeted moments
Like any contest there were certain highlights that reigned supreme on social media. The most tweeted about moments during the fight were:
- End of fight: Mayweather defeats Pacquiao 116-112.
- Mayweather post-fight interview.
- Pacquiao post-fight interview.
- Round 12 comes to an end.
- Pacquiao lands a flurry of punches as Round 4 comes to an end.
Fighters took to social media to boost viewership
With $300million up for grabs the need to self-promote had arguably never been higher, with the two boxing heroes needing to get their fans and the bookies backing them, as well as instil fear in their foe.
The Boxers went to Instagram to highlight a personality clash, taking very different approaches when it came to PR.
“Nowadays you have to be on social media to launch the fight and to build hype,” says boxing promoter Nisse Sauerland, CEO of Team Sauerland. “It couldn’t be done without it.”
“I think they’re both playing their roles,” says Sauerland, who promotes over 45 boxers. “You’ve got the bad guy and the good guy, really. You’ve got the guy who throws the money around (Mayweather), that’s his image, and Pacquiao, he’s the hope of a nation.”
Where Mayweather posted images of himself in a sea of money his enemy chose to earn the respect of his followers in a different way, thanking god and his family for his flourishing career in sport.
The more followers, the more opportunities
Although Mayweather and Pacquiao are two of the best fighters in history we cannot help but think their strong social media presence my have played a part in the selection.
“If you have five million Twitter followers it does give you power in negotiation, because it reflects popularity, ” says Sauerland.
Let us know what you think, was the fighter’s use of social media admirable? Leave your thoughts below.
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