>He had the foresight and plan to do 2 things which have led
>to him becoming the financial draw that he is: 1 - he got out
>from his contract with Arum so he wasn't earning pennies on
>the dollar, becoming the head of the snake himself. 2 - he
>branded himself as a villain and every public touch point that
>he has reinforces that brand.
>
>The course he has taken is unlike most boxers, most athletes
>in general, and it required not only a plan but constant
>attention to detail and execution of that plan.

De La Hoya went "independent" before Floyd and Floyd's "heel" persona started with the HBO promotional series for their fight. So Floyd wasn't really "innovative" but, given the knowledge, he's applied it very well.

How has his company done outside of his own fights though? He'll never find another fighter as good as himself but for the company to be more than an "ego label", he needs a strong stable of fighters underneath him. I"m only a casual boxing observer so the only guy I've ever heard of is the dude that's trying to be his Floyd's mini-me.

Dana, on the other hand, was instrumental in resurrecting UFC from it's death bed. A lot of the stuff that infuriates some diehard fans about how he runs the business (like who gets promoted and what fights get made) are also what's fueled it's growth.