MAYWEATHER, PACQUIAO EARN MORE $$ THAN LEBRON, TIGER

Press Release: Interesting news came from the world of sports this week when Forbes Magazine announced that their annual list of top paid athletes for past twelve months is headed by two boxers, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao at #1 and #2 respectively.  Names such as Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James were unseated by "Money" Mayweather and "Pacman." [Editor's note: According to the publication, Mayweather earned $85 million for pay-per-view fights against Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto, while Pacquiao took home $62 million for pay-per-view wins over Juan Manuel marquez and Timothy Bradley]. "Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao topping all other athletes on the Forbes Magazine list reflects the power of the fans when you give them great fights," said Joe DeGuardia, of the Boxing Promoters Association. "Boxing seems to create controversy, even when there isn't any, and the media then sounds the death knell. But TV ratings and attendance for boxing across the U.S. would dictate otherwise. It's a tribute to Floyd's and Manny's hard word and dedication to their sport but also to the reality that the top professionals in boxing continue to hover near or at the top of the earning levels. We need to reach out and assist with the individual commissions in providing whatever support is best for our sport and the public and keep moving forward to make boxing the best it can be."