It has only taken Floyd Mayweather, Jr two fights in the last year to earn enough to make Sports Illustrated’s Top 50 Highest-Earning American Athlete’s list.
Mayweather came in at number three by grossing a total of $60.2 million dollars. The figures verify that the 16 year veteran boxer earned roughly $30 million a piece for defeating Juan Manuel Marquez in September 2009, and Shane Mosley in May 2010. Both fights generated over 1 million PPV buys.
Mayweather was edged out of the number two spot by golfer Phil Mickelson who earned over $61 million. Of that amount, $52 million was generated from endorsements.
Number one was Tiger Woods, who despite image damage from his personal life still was the far and away leader with $90 million earned in the last year.
The entire list can be viewed here.
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Marvin Hagler once famously said “It’s hard to get up and do roadwork when you’re wearing silk pajamas.” When you look at the money Mayweather’s generated in just two fights, it becomes clearer why he says he’s not thinking about boxing right now.
It horrible for fight fans, but this is likely another reason we won’t be seeing Mayweather vs. Pacquiao this year…if ever.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 