Tuesday 28 June 2011

Roger's net gains just edge out the Pacman -- The Sunday Sun

By Tony Jeffries, The Sunday Sun

IN boxing we've just found out that Filipino superstar and 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.

The highest is Swiss tennis star Roger Federer.

I struggled to believe this.

Even at the top level I never thought there was that much loot in tennis, but Federer’s enormous endorsement portfolio puts him at No 1.

He’s only buttons in front of Pacman, barely a quarter of a million dollars – buttons, yeah right!

The Filipino boxer and now congressman earned more than $50million for two bouts over the past 12 months.

Pacquiao earned an estimated $52,500,000 (£32,656,145.39) from his fights against Antonio Margarito and “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Federer got a whopping $52,781,940.

The other top 10 non-Americans were Formula One driver Fernando Alonso ($45,000,000), Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi ($38,800,000), former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo ($38,800,000), basketballer Yao Ming ($35,686,100), Federer’s rival Rafael Nadal ($31,506,278), superbikes rider Valentino Rossi ($30,000,000), and footballers Wayne Rooney ($29,200,000) and Kaka ($27,300,000).

I was very surprised by the list for top-earning US athletes and the top two are both golfers. I never even thought a golfer was classed as an athlete!

It’s up there with darts for having to be fit.

Unless the golf buggy has got a flat battery it’s not much exercise!

Former world No 1 Tiger Woods topped the list with $62,294,116 (£38,741,297), followed by Phil Mickelson with $61,185,933.

LeBron James is the third ranking American top-earner with $44,500,000 despite having taken loads of stick over here this past week for his poor performances in the NBA basketball finals.

Source: sundaysun.co.uk

Boxer Floyd Mayweather sued for alleged assault -- USA Today

By Cristina Silva, Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — A Nevada man claims boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. directed his bodyguards to attack him at a Las Vegas casino last year after the man tried to take a photograph of the undefeated champion and asked about a fight with another star boxer, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in state court in Las Vegas.

The lawsuit alleges Mayweather's bodyguards attacked Anthony Cliff near a valet parking stand at the Palms Casino Resort on March 27, 2010, after Mayweather accused Cliff of "disrespecting" him.

Mayweather's bodyguards allegedly struck Cliff in the face, slamming his head into the ground. They then kicked him repeatedly in his back and side, the lawsuit says.

Mayweather's attorney and a spokesman for the Palms did not immediately respond Monday to requests for comment.

The suit accuses Mayweather of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention of employees.

Cliff claims he first spotted the boxer inside the casino and tried to take his photo. He was told by a bodyguard that he could not do so. The lawsuit alleges Cliff walked away, but later ran into Mayweather again at the valet stand. Cliff then asked someone in Mayweather's entourage about a possible match between Mayweather and another boxer.

The question seemed to infuriate Mayweather and his group, who surrounded Cliff and began threatening him, according to the lawsuit. Mayweather told Cliff he was disrespectful and allegedly give his bodyguards a "thumbs down" gesture, "which was a sign for the bodyguards to attack," the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit does not clarify which Mayweather rival Cliff was asking about.

The Palms also was named in the 43-page lawsuit for allegedly failing to provide adequate security. Cliff claims the casino's valet and security staff did nothing to help him during or after the alleged beating.

Cliff claims he feared for his life after the assault.

Mayweather is scheduled to fight Victor Ortiz on Sept. 17. Meanwhile, fans have anxiously eyed stalled negotiations to pit Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather has a history of court dealings.

Most recently, he failed to turn up for a court-ordered deposition in Las Vegas earlier this month in a federal lawsuit alleging he defamed Pacquiao. Mayweather and Pacquiao are considered among the best fighters in the world, though they've never met in the ring, partly because Mayweather's camp questioned Pacquiao's refusal to submit to strong drug testing.

Mayweather also faces felony charges stemming from a domestic argument and misdemeanor harassment and battery charges in separate cases.

The Las Vegas boxer is undefeated in 41 fights, having won titles in five divisions.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: usatoday.com

Pacquiao should agree to Mayweather's demand and take the random blood testing -- 8CountNews

By Brad Cooney, 8CountNews.com

Pound for Pound King Manny Pacquiao should agree to random blood testing up until the day of the fight. Why do I think he should agree? Well it's not because I think the man is doing steroids, because I don't. I think Manny is clean, and he earned his victories fair and square. So why should Manny have to take the blood test?

Anavar Muscle Catalyst 180 Rapid, Controlled Released TabletsTaking the random blood test up until the day of the fight will do a few things. Firstly, it forces Floyd's hand. If Manny agrees to take random blood tests up until the day of the fight, Floyd will be forced into a corner. Floyd will either have to agree to fight Manny, or he will choose to not fight. If Pacquiao agrees to the random blood testing up until the day of the fight, Floyd has no more cards to play.

As of right now, by Pacquiao not agreeing to random blood testing up until the day of the fight, Floyd still has a card to play. Floyd and his fans still have a card to play, they will continue to say that Manny is hiding something. By agreeing to the terms, Manny takes that card off of the table and away from Floyd Mayweather. If Manny went all in and agreed to everything, even Floyd's fans would have to jump ship if he still didn't agree to fight

The biggest card that Floyd and his fans have right now is the fact that Manny won't take the blood test up until the day before the fight. They keep trumping that card telling the world that Manny must be hiding something. Manny would take that card and make them all eat it just by agreeing to the blood tests up until the day of the fight.

Agreeing to the random blood test up until the day of the fight is the best thing that Manny could do right now. He would finally get Mayweather into the ring and have his opportunity to silence Floyd and his fans.

Source: 8countnews.com