Manny Pacquiao named Richest Boxer by Sports Illustrated

Philippines boxing star Manny Pacquiao is not only the best boxer today but also happens to be the sport's richest fighter. The eight time world champion earned $52.5 million (Php2.250 billion) last year, easily landing him a spot in the Fortunate 50 list of Sports Illustrated's highest earning athletes.

The 32 year old Filipino boxing sensation is ranked fourth behind top golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and tennis star Roger Federer. He is second behind Federer, owner of 16 grand slam titles, in the list of the highest paid non American athletes.

The earnings represented the prize money and endorsement made by Pacquiao in 2010, the year he collected $20 million each in the two fights he had with Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito for the WBO welterweight tittle and WBC super welterweight crown respectively.

Only last month, Pacquiao upped his ante by netting a total of $30 million (almost Php 1.3 billion) for successfully defending his WBO 147 belt opposite Sugar Shane Mosley with a 12 round one sided decision. Pacquiao who is guaranteed a $ 20 million prize purse for the Mosley fight, is the only boxer to make SI list and comes in the wake of a recent Forbes ranking where the reigning pound for pound king placed 24th in the World's 50 highest paid athletes with the net earning of $25 million.

PACQUIAO IS BEATABLE

That is what Pacquiao next opponent Joshua Clottey is trying to say. Clottey will be vying for the Filipino pound for pound king's World Boxing Organization welterweight title on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas. "Well, see he is beatable" Clottey said in an interview. "He has beaten all those guys out there so you would think he is unbeatable, But those guys are'nt the best defensive fighters."

Clottey who had previously attempted to win the same belt in June 2009 but yielded a close split decision to then champion Cotto. Clottey however expressed belief he wont suffer the same fate as Cotto and other Pacquiao victims.

Clottey though admitted that Pacquiao's reputable punching power would be a concern.

PACQUIAO VS CLOTTEY ON MARCH 13

There will be a fight on March 13, but it won't be against Floyd Mayweather. It will be against Josjua Clottey ina welterweight bout.

Since the Mayweather fight didn't push through, Arum moved to the next opponent, and landed a lucrative fight for Pacquiao.

Arum said he has finalized the deal to match Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey.