Pacquiao to earn at least $18 million against Rios

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao is set to pocket a guaranteed salary of $18 million (approximately Php774 million) against Brandon Rios in November, Top Rank chief Bob Arum revealed recently.

In a report by Bev Llorente of ABS-CBN News North America, Arum confirmed the amount, which could go higher once revenue from outlets such as pay-per-view and gate receipts kicks in.

“Manny is guaranteed $18 million, but we hope at the end of the day, he will do well enough so that he will get around $30 million,” Arum said.

This marks Pacquiao’s lowest payday since earning at least $20 million in his fights the past two years. In 2011, the Filipino icon received a guaranteed purse of $20 million against Shane Mosley and $22 million in his third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.

See related infographic: Pacquiao’s fight purse history

Against Timothy Bradley in 2012, Pacquiao pocketed $26 million and took home $25 million against Marquez in their fourth meeting. He lost both fights.

Pacquiao’s $18 million salary from the Rios fight pales in comparison to the whopping $41.5 million purse Floyd Mayweather enjoyed in his showdown Saul Alvarez last Sunday.

Mayweather has four fights remaining in his six-bout deal with US broadcaster Showtime, and although previous talks between him and Pacquiao have failed, the Filipino could still possibly end up fighting the undefeated American.

But first, Arum said Pacquiao must get past Rios.

“I’ve counseled Manny again and I’m gonna adhere to that discipline,” said Arum. “Don’t look ahead to the next fight. Concentrate on Brandon Rios, and after that fight, there will be plenty of time on who he will fight next.”

Pacquiao and Rios will clash on Nov. 24 at the Venetian Resort in Macau, China.