Manny Pacquiao is one of the 20 top-earning non-American athletes for 2009

Sports Illustrated recently released a list entitled “International 20“ comprising the 20 top-earning non-American athletes for 2009. This list shows the total amount of earnings from salary, bonuses, endorsement income and appearance fees.

This year’s list features seven soccer players, five motor sports racers, two NBA stars, two golfers, two tennis players, one baseball player and one boxer.

The lone boxer on the list is Manny Pacquiao also known as the “Pacman” from the Philippines. He ranks #3 on this list with $40,000,000 USD in total earnings (boxing purses from July ’08 to June ’09).

He is behind #1 David Beckham, a soccer player from Great Britain with $45,200,000 and #2 Kimi Räikkönen, a motor sport racer from Finland with $40,100,000. For a complete list, click here.

This is the fruit of all Manny Pacquiao’s hard work, dedication, love and passion for boxing. Every match of his career is accompanied by rigorous preparation, not taking any opponent for granted. He knocked down many great boxers like Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar Dela Hoya and recently Ricky Hatton.

He is the only Asian fighter to win boxing titles in multiple weight divisions. But can you imagine $40 Million USD in Philippine Peso? Man, that’s approximately Php 1.9 Billion. That’s a lot. But the great thing about Pacquiao is, he’s still a very humble person. He never lets his riches go to his head. Thumbs up for you, Manny Pacquiao!