Pacquiao to donate half of his earnings from the fight to charity

Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and American undefeated boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. during their megabout last May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. (AFP photo)

Eight-division world boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is said to donate half of his $120 million earnings from his megabout with still undefeated Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. to good causes.

The Mayweather-Pacquiao bout is the highest grossing fight in the history of boxing, reaching as high as $400 million in revenues. The fighters have agreed to a 60-40 financial split, favoring Mayweather.

Pacquiao has lost to Mayweather who now has a professional record of 49 wins and still no losses, making him one of boxing’s greatest fighters.

“I’m sure half of what Manny earns in this fight is going to go to charity. That is just Manny,” Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum said, even before the superfight. “We don’t like to talk about money too much as more charities line up.”

Boxer legend Sugar Ray Leonard, however, warns Pacquiao not to be too generous with his earnings.

“When you become world champion you make an impact inside the ring, but you make a bigger impact out,” he said. “Pacquiao tries to help everyone, just like me, he goes out of his way to help everyone but you can’t help the world.”

“Sometimes you have to say ‘no’. It was difficult for me to say no at first, I gave away many millions of dollars,” he added.

Leonard also warns Pacquiao that he may end up like Joe Louis, who has been broke by the age of 40, after generously giving away his earnings from boxing.

Pacquiao is the 11th richest athlete in the world, according to a Forbes ranking last year. He has made $41.8 million from his bouts with Rios and Bradley and endorsements like Nike.

A devoted Christian, Pacquiao has always been generous to his countrymen, helping those in need and trying to fulfill his duties as a congressman. He is then dubbed as the ‘biggest one-man charity’ in the country.

In his hometown, Sarangani, Pacquiao has already generously given fishing boats, water buffalos, home lots and funds for college scholarships. Reports say that Pacquiao will be running for presidency after retiring from boxing.