Manny Pacquiao’s reputation and achievements beyond the sport of boxing continue to soar as the Filipino ring icon made it to this year’s Forbes Celebrity 100, an annual listing of the most powerful celebrities in the world.
Pacquiao was ranked 57th in the prestigious roster for 2009 topped by popular and influential actress Angelina Jolie, who dethroned media maven Oprah Winfrey as No. 1.
The Celebrity 100 ranks film and television actors, models, chefs, athletes, authors, and musicians based on a measure of entertainment-related earnings and media visibility (exposure in print, television, radio and online), according to Forbes.com.
The only Filipino and boxer in the roster, Pacquiao was listed with $40M in earnings and ranked 36th in terms of pay, 55th in web, 59th in press and 80th in TV and radio exposure.
Forbes has recognized Pacquiao’s megafights with Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, his immense popularity, and influence as an endorser as well as political plans.
“Widely regarded at the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, Pacquiao had two blockbuster fights in the past year: He took on Oscar De La Hoya in December and Ricky Hatton in May. Pac-Man is a huge celebrity in his home of the Philippines and plans to run for political office there once his days in the ring are over. Counts Nike and beer maker San Miguel among his sponsors," Forbes stated in its write-up for Pacquiao.
Among the athletes, Pacquiao was the 10th most powerful, outranked only by golf superstar Tiger Woods (5th overall), NBA great Kobe Bryant (10th), basketball legend Michael Jordan (18th) NBA MVP LeBron James (19th), tennis champ Roger Federer (27th), football star David Beckham (28th), golfer Phil Mickelson (36th), F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen (52nd) and football star Ronaldhino (55th).
The Filipino ring icon outranked other sports greats, such as cager Kevin Garnett (62nd), baseball icon Derek Jeter (66th), and tennis aces Serena Williams (67th), Maria Sharapova (76th), Venus Williams (77th) and Ana Ivanovic (90th).
Pacquiao’s entry to the Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list further cements the status of the 30-year-old pride of General Santos City as a powerful personality outside boxing. Recently, Pacquiao was named to the TIME 100 list of Most Influential People, ranking him 22nd overall among personalities from politics and public service, business, entertainment, sports, science, technology, and the arts.
For his influence encompassing sports, Pacquiao has also been named ambassador of peace and understanding by President Arroyo.
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