Pacquiao in 2010 Forbes Celebrity 100; Ranked Higher than Hollywood Superstars

note: This is a re-post from ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – Seven-division world champion and Sarangani Province Rep. Manny Pacquiao jumped two notches in the 2010 Forbes Celebrity 100, the ranking of the richest and most powerful celebrities and personalities in the world.

From No. 57 in 2009, Pacquiao improved to No. 55 in the annual list compiled by the US-based business magazine, Forbes Magazine.

He is ranked higher than Hollywood superstars Tom Cruise (No. 56), Adam Sandler (No. 57), George Clooney (No. 58), Leonardo DiCaprio (No. 71), Robert Downey, Jr. (No. 73) and Julia Roberts (No. 77).

The annual survey ranks the celebrities according to their estimated earnings between June 2009 and June 2010, and adds a fame component made up of press mentions, Internet presence and magazine cover stories.

According to Forbes.com, the Filipino boxing icon earned the No. 55 ranking after earning $42 million in the past year. He ranked 47th in the list according to pay rank; 52nd in TV, radio and press mentions; and 60th in social media mentions.

He earned $35 million for his 2 fights against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto and Ghanaian Joshua Clottey.

“While still regarded by many as the best boxer in the sport right now, Pac-Man is also busy outside the ring,” Pacquiao’s entry in the list read.

The magazine said Pacquiao spent an estimated $7 million on his successful campaign to represent Sarangani province in Congress.

Pacquiao is expected to earn more millions if his much-awaited fight with American Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Forbes Celebrity 100’s No. 31, will happen.

Mayweather had a pay of $65 million, earning $25 million in his fight against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and $40 million in his bout versus compatriot Shane Mosley.

Lone Filipino athlete

The boxing superstar is the lone Filipino athlete in the Forbes Celebrity 100, which was topped by Oprah Winfrey.

Filipino-American musician Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as apl.de.ap, also made it to the list as a member of the Black Eyed Peas (No. 16).

Pacquiao even ranked higher than tennis superstars Serena Williams (No. 61), Maria Sharapova (No. 81) and Venus Williams (No. 83), baseball’s Derek Jeter (No. 64), cyclist Lance Armstrong (No. 65), and auto racing driver Danica Patrick (No. 96).

Aside from Mayweather, the athletes who had higher rankings than Pacquiao in the 2010 Forbes Celebrity 100 were Tiger Woods (No. 5), Kobe Bryant (No. 14), Michael Jordan (No. 20), LeBron James (No. 28), Roger Federer (No. 29), David Beckham (No. 36), Phil Mickelson (No. 45), Cristiano Ronaldo (No. 48), Alex Rodriguez (No. 49) and Shaquille O'Neal (No. 52).

Last year, Pacquiao debuted in Forbes Magazine’s “The World's Highest-Paid Athletes” list at No. 6 with $40 million. He was tied with James and Mickelson.