MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao’s latest victory over Joshua Clottey of Ghana also means another windfall for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion.
In 2009, Pacquiao was listed as one of the world’s best-paid athletes by Forbes Magazine. (Read: Pacquiao debuts in Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list)
He ranked sixth, with estimated earnings of US$40 million, around P1.9 billion, from June 2008 to June 2009.
The Pacman earned more than tennis superstar Roger Federer and Cleveland Cavaliers (former Phoenix Suns) center Shaquille O’Neal, who earned US$33 million each in the same period.
For the Clottey fight, Pacquiao had a guaranteed purse of US$12 million.
He also stands to earn through pay-per-view sales, ticket sales, gate receipts, merchandise and television rights.
It was only last year when Pacquiao joined sports icons Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in “The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes” list of Forbes Magazine.
“The Pacman” tied for the sixth spot along with 2009 NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James and golfer Phil Mickelson. They raked in $40 million last year.
Last year’s entry on Forbes.com states that Pacquiao “hogged the boxing spotlight over the past year with victories in two blockbuster fights,” pertaining to his 8th round TKO win over Oscar de la Hoya in December and 2nd round KO of Ricky Hatton in May.
“The People’s Champ” earlier debuted in the “Forbes Celebrity 100” topped by Angelina Jolie. The list named the 100 most powerful celebrities in the world.
Lording over the world’s highest-paid athletes list in 2009 was Tiger Woods with $110 million.
Sharing the list’s second spot were Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Kimi Raikkonen with $45 million.
David Beckham, meantime, clinched the No. 5 spot with $42 million.
Coming in at No. 9 was motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi with $35 million. In 10th place with $34 million was Nascar race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.. — with a report from ANC
