LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao is guaranteed a paycheck of $23 million
(about P943 million) in this Saturday's fourth fight with Juan Manuel
Marquez.
But because it is impossible that nobody's going to watch the fight
on HBO pay-per-view at the MGM Grand, Top Rank chief Bob Arum said
Pacquiao could end up getting between $28 million (P1.1 billion) to $30
million (P1.2 billion)
"Even if nobody buys the pay-per-view, Manny gets $23 million. That's guaranteed," said Arum.
Arum said it is a given that this fourth chapter of the revered
Pacquiao-Marquez rivalry will gross more than a million buys since it
had generated a little over 1.3 million when they faced each other for
the third time last year.
"There is a tremendous buzz for this fight," said an excited Arum, who actually turns 81 on Saturday.
Pacquiao will be fighting for the 23rd time on American soil this
Saturday and when he made his US debut in June, 2001, also at the Grand
Garden Arena, he only made $40,000 as a last-minute substitute.
Pacquiao's fights the last four years here have become topgrossers.
Pacquiao's marquee victories over Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley here in Sin City were smash hits with people from all over the world flocking to this gambling and entertainment haven to see the Filipino in action.
Owing to his immense popularity and drawing power, Pacquiao is ranked among the highest-paid athletes in the world.
In a study of the highest-paid athletes from June, 2011 through June, 2012 done by Forbes, Pacquiao was second on the list with earnings of $62 million.
According to Forbes, Pacquiao made $56 million in purses and $6 million in endorsements.
Rival boxer Floyd Mayweather was No. 1 on the list, with $85 million in earnings, all from purses.
Golfer Tiger Woods was third with $59.4 million in earnings.
Pacquiao and Mayweather each had two fights in the time period that covers the Forbes' study.
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