...the PAC makes it at No.2

Pacquiao 2nd highest paid non-US athlete: CNNSI

abs-cbnNEWS.com

06/17/2011

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) -- Filipino boxing superstar and reigning pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is the second highest earning non-American athlete in the world.

Based on the list compiled by CNN Sports Illustrated.com (CNNSI), Pacquiao is second to Switzerland's Roger Federer in terms of earnings.

"Federer's enormous endorsement portfolio puts him at No. 1, but barely a quarter-million more than No. 2 Manny Pacquiao. The Filipino boxer and congressman earned more than $50 million for two bouts over the past 12 months," according to CNNSI's Jonah Freedman.

Pacquiao earned an estimated US$52,500,000 from his fights against Antonio Margarito and "Sugar" Shane Mosley.

He was ranked No. 5 last year.

Federer retained his No. 1 status by earning $52,781,940.

Other non-American athletes who made it on the list include:

• 3. Fernando Alonso ($45,000,000)
• 4. Lionel Messi ($3,800,000)
• 5. Cristiano Ronaldo ($38,800,000)
• 6. Yao Ming ($35,686,100)
• 7. Rafael Nadal ($31,506,278)
• 8. Valentino Rossi ($30,000,000)
• 9. Wayne Rooney ($29,200,000)
• 10. Kaka ($27,300,000)

Sports Illustrated has a separate list for top-earning US athletes.

Golf superstar Tiger Woods topped the list with $62,294,116 followed by Phil Mickelson with $61,185,933.

LeBron James is the third ranking American top earner with $44,500,000.