Manny Pacquiao's victory over Miguel Cotto was the richest fight of the year, eclipsing Floyd Mayweather's comeback victory over Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao's 12th-round stoppage victory in Las Vegas last Saturday night, televised by HBO, sold 1.25 million pay-per-view buys in the United States compared to Mayweather's 1.05m.

Pacquiao's pay-per-view numbers are likely to help at the bargaining table for a potential megafight with 'Money', as Mayweather is already reported to be asking for the lion's share of the purse.

The Filipino took an estimated $22million from his victory over Cotto, who walked away with $12million.

A Pacquiao-Mayweather match-up could be so big casino magnate Steve Wynn has already spoken to Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum about constructing a 30,000-seat outdoor arena on what is now a vacant lot across from his two resorts to host the bout, with other casinos joining in as partners.

HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg told the Associated Press: "They have to deliver. The American public wants that fight."

Arum meanwhile said: "The way I look at it now, boxing is really on a roll.

"We would be idiots now to slow the momentum and the only way we can keep the momentum is to make this fight."