The much hyped fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor failed to set a record for ticket revenue at a boxing bout.

The bout, won by Mayweather on August 26, was expected to better ticket sales of $72.2m when the American beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015.

But figures released show over 7,000 seats were empty at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas resulting in the fight generating $55.4m, the second-highest boxing gate in history.

Pay-per-view television sales will be finalised in the coming days. The bout is however said to be close to bettering the 4.6m pay-per-view buys Mayweather-Pacquiao generated.

Revenue from these sales, added to gate receipts, merchandising and sponsorship could carry the bout past the $620m haul Mayweather-Pacquiao earned, making it the richest fight in boxing history.

The now retired Mayweather, undefeated after 50 fights, is has been part of six of the seven highest-earning gates in boxing.

Of the top-seven gates recorded in the state of Nevada, only Lennox Lewis’ win over Evander Holyfield in 1999 – now fifth on the all-time list – does not feature the American.