Margarito, not Mayweather

The possibilities of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight may be getting slimmer and slimmer as time goes by despite of the hopes of the many that there will be a time that this dubbed mega-fight will take place in reality not just in our imaginations. The chances of the mega-fight is so thin especially now that Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao was elected a sit in the Philippine Congress. Also, the chance became thinner this time that Pacquiao will be facing another great boxer on the 13th of November this year, but that boxer's name is not Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Antonio Margarito!

Yes, Antonio Margarito! The Mexican boxer who had defeated other great fighters as well. He was famous even before the illegal plaster hand-wraps issue stirred the world of boxing.

Margarito is one tough-great boxer!

What made me say that? Well, not only that he had won titles in the welterweight division but he had also fought boxers in class. Kermit Cintron, Joshua Clottey, Miguel Angel Cotto, Paul Williams and Shane Mosley; big names right?

So why Antonio Margarito? What made Top Rank's Bob Arum pick him?

Well, Arum received no response from Mayweather's camp for a contract signing that would put Pacquiao-Mayweather in the ring for good so he [Arum] had made a choice between Margarito and Miguel Cotto; later picked Antonio. Arum claimed that, though Cotto would be a good competitive opponent for Pacman, a Margarito match for the pound-for-pound king is more lucrative. Well, indeed; the fight would also be explosive and exciting for Margarito could consider this as a big break for his boxing career; he will be on top of his game to prove that he can defeat the Pacman.

This better be good.

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.