Oscar to pocket £18m in blockbuster showdown

The undisputed world middleweight championship showdown between Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, taking place in Las Vegas tomorrow, is expected to become the richest nonheavyweight title fight in boxing history.

With pay-per-view television takings of more than £60million, De La Hoya will earn £18m and Hopkins £6m.

The highest grossing televised fight was the demolition of Mike Tyson by Lennox Lewis in 2002, which took £66m.

Meanwhile, it was revealed today that Lewis is hoping to make a new career as a movie star.

Lewis, who retired from the ring last year, confirmed: "I've been talking to some people about it and have some things in the works."