Pacman's last take: Low of $1.3M, high of $5M

There is no doubt, Manny Pacquiao is the richest and most popular sports icon in the country. Pacquiao admitted in an interview by Mel Tiangco in the early evening news program 24Oras Tuesday night that he was paid $2 million, 35 percent of which will go to the United States treasury in the form of taxes, to fight Jorge Solis of Mexico. Pacquiao added that his earnings are still subject to Philippine taxes, "but not as much." However, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said that the Filipino boxer's total earnings could be at least $5 million, if fees from pay-per-view, endorsements and other promotional arrangements are totalled. Part of Pacquiao's earnings include rights to air the fight with Solar Sports and GMA 7 Network. Pacquiao is also expecting to rake in profit from the sale of the fight DVDs and CDs. In other words, Pacquiao is likely to earn at least $1.3 million to at most $5 million from his title bout with Solis. Pacquiao's fight with Solis ended with the Mexican kissing the canvass twice in the eighth round, forcing fthe referee to stop the match. Last Sunday's fight was followed by millions of Filipinos who cheered their hero from the opening until the moment his Mexican rival was beaten for the first time. - GMANews.TV