Boxing & MMA

Where Does Pacquaio Rank Among the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes?

By Annika Caniza - April 19, 2023
Apart from knockouts and accolades, Manny Pacquiao also ranks well for his career earnings against the world’s other GOATs.

It has never been a secret that Manny Pacquiao is one of the highest-earning athletes, not just among Filipino sports stars, but around the entire world.

In fact, in 2015, Forbes listed Pacquiao among the top two highest-paid athletes in the world, second only to Floyd Mayweather.

Adding to this, the Filipino boxing legend was one of the most marketable fighters in the world. Across 25 of his pay-per-view fights, he generated around $1.3 billion in revenue.

Manny Pacquiao’s last professional fight was in 2021. And he may no longer be in the top two of the world’s highest-paid athletes on an annual basis, but he still certainly does on an all-time basis.

(Photo credit: AFP)
What is Manny Pacquiao’s current rank?

According to Sportico, the boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is the 21st highest-paid athlete of all time (as of writing).

Michael Jordan currently tops Sportico’s list of Top 50 Highest-Paid Athletes of All Time, with inflation-adjusted earnings of $3.3 billion. Following Jordan are three golfers: Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. Football great Cristiano Ronaldo rounds out the top five.

But the five athletes above Manny Pacquiao are names you are well familiar with too.

(Photo credit: IFL TV on Twitter)

In 16th is Mike Tyson with inflation-adjusted earnings of $875 million. Following the fighter is Neymar, Kevin Durant, and Lewis Hamilton — each one a star in his respective sport.

And, sitting right above Pacquiao is former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, with inflation-adjusted earnings of $745 million.

Manny Pacquiao sits at 21st with a number not too far off: $725 million.

Sitting right below the Filipino legend is the NFL GOAT himself, Tom Brady, at $690 million.

Should Manny Pacquiao ever return to the professional ring again, as some rumors have recently been suggesting, his number could stand to climb even higher.

Banner image from AFP.


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