MANILA – It seems to be the month of breakups.
Comely actress Shaina Magdayao split with matinee idol John Lloyd Cruz finally.
Then long-time partners Angelica Panganiban and hulk actor Derek Ramsey headed to Splitsville.
Now, no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III and girlfriend Grace Lee, a radio and television personality, were reported to have stopped seeing each other for three weeks now.
It was the second time that their apparent breakup was reported, only to turn out together again in certain functions.
But this time, the media is singing a different tune for the bachelor President. “Alone again, naturally,” proclaimed the Star in its news report.
That has apparently been the case with President Aquino for three weeks now, according to the report, quoting sources.
Last Saturday in Negros Oriental, the President even joked about possibly getting third time lucky with an Ilongga. Observers saw it as a loaded statement.
The President said that he was not even ready to get married yet.
According to the report, the sources said the President finally stopped seeing Korean host and model Grace Lee but declined to elaborate on the reasons. They confirmed that Aquino was no longer dating anyone.
Social news network Rappler reported on April 16 that Aquino and Lee had broken up but some Palace insiders were quick to deny it because the two were still going out.
In fact, they were seen at the inauguration of the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and at the concert of jazz legend Sergio Mendes.
The sources also said they were not sure if the proper term was “breakup” when nobody had admitted they were “on” in the first place, according to the Star.
They said the President had been busy and had not really seen Lee for quite sometime when the news about the “breakup” came out.
The report continued that there were text messages circulating that Grace Lee was seen dating another guy.
There was no confirmation about the split of the most eligible bachelor of the Philippines and the Korean radio-television host.

Dream fight dims as Floyd to enter Las Vegas jail

By JO ERLINDA G. NEBRES

LOS ANGELES, California — World boxing icon Manny Pacquiao arrived here for the continuation of his training for his fight against American Timothy Bradley on June 9, promising that he was looking forward to doing the country proud anew.
The Filipino ring hero flew in at the Los Angeles International Airport as his rival, Floyd Mayweather Jr., scored a unanimous 12-round decision against Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto in what Mayweather considered as one of his hardest fights yet.  Mayweather got his nose bloodied and was visibly hurt in bruising exchanges. There were also welts under his eyes and seemed exhaused during an interview after the fight.
Mayweather, as expected after the fight called out Manny Pacquiao’s name.
“If you’re the best, take the test,” was Mayweather’s challenge.
Pacquiao said he knew Mayweather would call him out once he was done with Cotto because there’s really nothing else the 35-year-old American could do other than that.
Another American fighter, Shane Mosley, lost to a rising Mexican fighter, in the undercard.
Pacquiao had defeated both Cotto and Mosley in previous outings.
It was not an easy fight for Mayweather as many saw Cotto winning in the early rounds, but then faded on the 9th round. Cotto landed some hard punches and kept attacking all the way to the final bell. 
“You’re a hell of a champion,” Mayweather told Cotto in the ring afterward. “You’re the toughest guy I ever fought.”
Mayweather dominated late, rocking Cotto in the 12th round to pull out a win and remain unbeaten in 43 fights. 
By the time Pacquiao fights Bradley, Mayweather will be occupying a cell at the Clark County Detention Center, dimming the possibility of the mega fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather where both may earn $50 million each, the biggest purse in history.
Mayweather earned $34 million in his fight against Cotto.
Before taking the Philippine Airlines Flight PR 102 to LAX, Pacquiao, now 33 and a sitting congressman representing Sarangani province, assured his countrymen that he will do his best to bring more honors for the Philippines and the Filipino people, like in his previous fights. 
This developed as Michael Knocz, a Pacquiao adviser, disclosed that a Pacquiao- Mayweather fight “is never going to happen” even as the American champion dared again the Filipino icon to fight him.
Knocz told Ronnie Nathanielz: “He (Mayweather) is never going to fight Manny. It’s never going to happen,” said Koncz. “We know Manny can beat him and Floyd knows that, too. Why do you think he wants a 60-40 split (in favor of Mayweather)?” Asked about Mayweather’s post-fight comment to sportscaster Larry Merchant that he wanted Pacquiao to take the blood test, Koncz replied: “That’s a stupid thing because Manny personally told him (Mayweather) on the phone he agreed to the blood test.”
Koncz added: “I don’t care what he (Mayweather) does. We have a fight coming up on June 9 and that’s the fight we are going to concentrate on.”
Pacquiao ended his high altitude training in Baguio and in Manila with a seven-round skirmish against Russian sparring partners Ruslan Provodnikov (four rounds) and Rustam Nugaev (seven rounds.
“Paki-sabi sa mga kababayan natin na aalis ako na umaasa na muli ay gagawin ko ang lahat ng magagawa ko para bigyan na naman sila at ang bansang Pilipinas ng karangalan, tulad noong nauna kong mga laban,” Pacquiao told sports writer Eddie G. Alinea.
“Like before, what I’m asking is for them to pray that not only I win but that I will be free from harm as I resume my preparations in L.A. until the day of the fight in Las Vegas,” he added in reference to his confrontation with Bradley on June 9. 
“Sana ay ipagdasal din nila na walang injury na mangyari kay Bradley at sa lahat ng boksingerong lalaban sa undercard ng paghaharap namin (I also ask our countrymen to pray that Bradley be spared from any harm as well as all boxers fighting in the undercard of our fight),” he said. 
“On my part, I’ll be praying that all our countrymen back home and our country be safe at all times, that I’m fighting for them,” he said. “As I’ve been saying, ang labang ito ay para sa inyo (this fight is for you)!” 
The four-round toe-to-toe against Provodnikov, whose fighting style approximates that of Bradley, impressed chief trainer Freddie Roach no end that he pronounced the defending champion will be ready to fight soon as he had expected. 
“That was the best sparring session we had since we started with the facet of the program two weeks ago in Baguio,” Roach exclaimed after the training session. 
“Manny’s nearing his fighting form and that would make the next phase of preparations a lot easier as I expected,” Roach said. 
Pacquiao himself could not hide his satisfaction with the way his training is going, saying it’s way on track. 
“Tama lang. Sukat na sukat ang schedule (Just right. Training schedule is going well),” he said. “We’ll reach our target on time. I feel very good right now.” 
So impressive was the Pacman’s performance he was given a standing ovation by the standing room only crowd that filled the MP Towers gym, including long-time supporter former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, boxing promoter Wackee Salud and election lawyer Romy Macalintal, among others. 
A farewell party was held later in the day at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Pacquiao’s official residence while in Manila.
Assistant coach Buboy Fernandez of the “Team Pacquiao” earlier assessed that the Filipino ring icon has already regained his speed and timing, and that local conditioning coach Marvin Somodeo was successful in giving a remedy to the champion’s usual leg cramps. 

PARANAQUE CITY —The National Housing Authority (NHA) has prioritized allocation of fund to Parañaque City’s socialized housing program under the so-called P10-billion Pnoy fund.
The Pnoy fund is an initiative of the Office of the President, placed under the administration of NHA, which was designed for the relocation of informal settler- families (ISFs) along waterways.
In an official communication, NHA general manager Atty Chito Cruz informed Bernabe that his proposed site/project at Silverio Compound in Barangay San Isidro had been considered for inclusion in the 2012 work program utilizing the allotted P10 billion accelerated disbursement fund for resettlement.
Medium rise buildings will be constructed in the three hectares Silverio Compound socialized housing area using the Pnoy fund. The buildings, when completed, will benefit about 1,832 families.
Supported by NGOs and other stakeholders, the city will be in partnership with the accredited builders and designers and respective community association in the implementation of the socialized housing project.
“When the project is completed, Silverio Compound will emerge as a clean, beautiful, healthy peaceful and progressive community with legitimate homeowners instead of squatters, a fine place to live in.”, Bernabe said.
Last April 23, a resident was killed while scores of protesters and policemen were injured as a court-sanctioned demolition at the Silverio Compound was marred by violence.

By CLAIRE M. TRUE

NEW PMP MEMBERS. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile together with former President Joseph Estrada formally welcome former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno into the ranks of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan. The PMP has coalesced with the PDP Laban of Vice President Jejomar Binay to give people better choices in the upcoming 2013 election

PASIG CITY – Joint operating units from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Puerto Princesa City have arrested one of the suspects involved in the gun-slay of Palawan broadcast journalist and environmentalist Gerry Ortega in Pasig City last Sunday.
CIDG head Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., identified the arrested suspect as Percival B. Lecias, Sr. alias Valentin Lecias, 44.
Lecias was collared by CIDG operatives at his rented apartment at No. 6-C Quiogue St., Villa Susana in Barangay Caniogan, Pasig City at around 4:35 am.
“The arrest follows weeks of surveillance by the CIDG led by Chief Insp. Reynaldo G. Ramos, Palawan CIDG Chief and the SOG of Puerto Princesa City led by Randy Suelo, and volunteers from Community Investigative Support,” the CIDG chief said.
Lecias was said to have been the source of the gun used in Ortega’s murder inside a clothing shop in Puerto Princesa City last Jan. 24, 2011.
The suspect was arrested on account of a warrant of arrest for murder issued by the Palawan regional trial court. No bail was recommended for the former.
Lecias is an aide of former Palawan Gov. Joel T. Reyes.
Reyes, who, together with his brother Coron Mayor Mario T. Reyes, Jr, former Major Gen. Jovito Palparan and Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr. are the subject of a nationwide manhunt by the CIDG.
“Arrested suspect will be transported to Puerto Princesa City via Philippine Airlines, 4:00 pm,” Pagdilao said.
He added that another suspect, Arturo “Nonoy” Regalado, surrendered last April 11.

By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA
Special to Philippines Today

WASHINGTON D.C. – As the human rights record of the government of President Aquino improves, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario is urging the United States government to release its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) allocation for the Philippines.
Mr. Del Rosario lamented that because the U.S. has tied the FMF to human rights record, it merely released $3 million out of the total of $30-million FMF allocations for the Philippines since 2008.
Secretary Del Rosario contrasted the U.S. State Department’s 2006 FMF request for the Philippines, which accounted for over 70% of the total for East Asia, that has fallen to 35% for fiscal year 2012.  He raised the matter up with the State Department during his visit.
  Assistant Secretary Andrew Shapiro of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs committed to double the initial $15 million in FMF for the Philippines to $30 million for FY 2012.  He also added that the State Department will explore additional creative funding streams for the Philippines. 
He said this was merely released after the U.S. State Department reported that:
 “1) the Philippine government is taking effective steps to prosecute those responsible for extrajudicial executions (EJEs), sustain the decline in the number of EJEs, and strengthen government institutions working to eliminate EJEs; 
“2) the Philippine government is implementing a policy of promoting military personnel who demonstrate professionalism and respect for internationally recognized human rights, and is investigating, prosecuting and punishing military personnel and others who have been credibly alleged to have violated such rights; and,
“3) the Philippine military does not have a policy of, and is not engaging in, acts of violence or intimidation against members of legal organizations who advocate for human rights.”
 
SPOKE AT HERITAGE
FOUNDATION
 
Del Rosario made the plea as he spoke as guest of the Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C. think tank, Wednesday (May 2) two days after he attended the first ever 2 + 2 meeting at the U.S. State Department with Philippine Secretary of Defense Voltaire Gazmin and their U.S. counterparts U.S. State Department Secretary Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta where the U.S. reaffirmed their commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.
Kim R. Holmes, Ph. D., vice president, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies and Director of the Davis Institute for International Studies at the Heritage foundation, introduced Mr. Del Rosario.
During his 40-minute talk, Mr. Del Rosario said that the Philippines has already gained strides in the field of human rights by reducing the extrajudicial killings and setting up strong policy for respect and sensitivity to human rights. But he came up short with details if the military is holding rigorous human rights sensitivity training.
But in the operational side, he mentioned the issuance of arrest warrants on some high-profile suspects, notably General Jovito Palparan and former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and the prosecution of 198 suspects in the massacre of journalists.
“Even our harshest critics acknowledge that there has been a significant decline in the number of extrajudicial killings,” the Secretary remarked.  He added, “President Aquino’s family itself was a victim of a most heinous human rights crime since his father who was then in the political opposition was assassinated in 1983.  For this reason, President Aquino has taken bold and resolute action to break the culture of impunity and to institutionalize greater sensitivity and full respect for human rights.”
Secretary del Rosario also touted the Philippine ratification, two weeks ago, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which obligates the Philippines to create a National Prevention Mechanism that will conduct independent and unannounced visits to places where people are deprived of their liberty. 
 
DEFENSE UPGRADE

This ratification comes a few months after the country’s accession to the Rome Statute, where parties are obliged to bring to justice those responsible for crimes under international law.
He said that while the Aquino government has made major investments in the upgrade of Philippine defense equipment, supplementary foreign military financing from the U.S. remains a very important component of our effort to develop our external defense capabilities.
“While fully recognizing the constraints posed by recent congressional limits placed on defense spending,” the Secretary noted with concern the shrinking allocation for the Philippines of the U.S.’ FMF pie for East Asia and the Pacific.
Del Rosario said when the Philippines invokes its alliance with the U.S., it was not meant  to “confront or contain anyone.” Far from it, it will be the “last thing that the Philippines would do – heighten tensions in the West Philippine Sea and drag our allies into it.”
Last Monday (April 28) Secretary Clinton firmly reiterated that the United States will honor its treaty obligations under its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines and urged the claimant countries in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to clarify and settle their claims legally in accordance with international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – a move which PH has been advocating.  (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)

MANILA – Seven Chinese fishing vessels, three surveillance ships, and 23 service boats are still operating in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, according to Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) chief Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara.
This means that tension between the Philippines and China over the shoal has not eased and may have in fact intensified with the presence of more China ships and boats.
Alcantara based his statement Tuesday  on the sighting report forwarded to him by the crew of the Coast Guard’s BRP EDSA DOS and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ MCS-3001 who are still on patrol on the disputed waters.
BRP EDSA DOS’ present position is 7.1 nautical south east off Panatag Shoal while MCS-3001 is located 1.6 nautical miles north east off South Rock.
While the locations of China Maritime Surveillance (CMS) vessel 75 is 3.5 nautical miles south east of North Rock and 8.1 nautical miles north east from the present position of BRP EDSA DOS.
While CMS 81 is 1.04 nautical miles south east off North Rock and also 8.1 nautical miles away from BRP EDSA DOS
And Fisheries Law Enforcement Command 310 is 8.4 nautical miles south east of North Rock and 7.5 nautical miles away from the Coast Guard ship.
Alcantara said that the seven fishing vessels with their 23 service boats were scattered in the waters of Panatag Shoal and remained under constant surveillance and monitoring by the NOLCOM.

QUEZON CITY — Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes on Monday said he is optimistic the government will finish the distribution of land to farmer-beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita in six to 12 months.
At a media conference, Delos Reyes said the timeframe set is “realistic” as they have already lined up a process from the validation of the beneficiaries until the distribution of land.
“Ang estimate namin ay six to 12 months. Ang assumption nito ay konti lang ang magkwestiyon sa pilian at distribution,” Delos Reyes told reporters.
Delos Reyes presented their plan on the distribution of of the more than 4,000-hectare land owned by the Cojuangco family to more than 6,000 farmer-beneficiaries.
He noted however that the department has yet to receive an official copy of the Supreme Court’s decision last April 12 that affirmed the land distribution.
Until such time, Delos Reyes said they could not start with the process which begins with validation of farmer beneficiaries and information campaign.
“I can’t start unless I get an official copy. We’ll have to wait. I expect it (receive a copy) to happen within the next seven days,” he said.
He said he has ordered for the establishment of 10 temporary help desks in barangays inside the Hacienda Luisita to expedite the identification, screening and validation of qualified beneficiaries.
Delos Reyes also assured that the government has funds to acquire the land for the farmer beneficiaries who would in turn pay the monthly amortization at government-run Land Bank.
“Considering the target we have this year, I think we have enough money,” he said

Enrile agrees to subpoena Ombudsman,
solon, others; okays 48-hour trial break

By FRED GABOT
Editor in Chief

PASAY CITY – Finally,  Chief Justice Renato C. Corona agreed to testify before the Senate Impeachment Tribunal on allegations that he has an undeclared $10 million account.
The decision which caught the Senator-Judges, the House of Representatives prosecutors and those following the trial by surprise despite the fact that many have been egging the Chief Justice to show up and testify at the trial was announced on the floor by defense lawyer Jose Roy III on Tuesday, the 36th day of the trial of the Chief Justice.
This developed as the prosecutors vowed to file a second impeachment complaint against Corona in case he will be acquitted by the Senate.
The Senate would need 16 votes to convict the Chief Justice and only 9 votes to acquit.
Rep. Romero Quimbo said that in case the Senate would render a decision acquitting Corona they would accept it and would simply just file another complaint come December this year.
“It’s not true that we will not stop going against him,” Quimbo said. “But we cannot also stop our constitutional duty to carry out the process of impeachment when there is sufficient evidence.”
In other developments:
1. Sen. Enrile reiterated the decision of the Partido Masang Pilipino (PMP) to align with Vice President Jejomar Binay’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) does not have any bearing in the impeachment trial. There were reports attributing to Binay that supposedly, a vote for the acquittal of Corona in the impeachment trial, is a vote in his favour, purportedly for his presidential bid in 2016..
2. A survey done by StratPOLLS Inc. showed 47 percent agreed that the impeachment trial is Aquino’s way of getting back at Corona, StratPOLLS, however, said the decision has “created an impact” on the minds of those following the impeachment trial.
3. The Senate Tribunal has denied the prosecutors’ motion stopping Justice Secretary Leila de Lima from testifying again. De Lima was supposed to testify next, but her testimony maybe delayed with the testimonies of hostile witnesses to come first on the alleged $10-million account of Corona.
4. Sen. Edgardo Angara refused to inhibit himself from the trial of Corona, pointing out that he could decide independently on the case although his son, Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, signed the impeachment complaint and acts as spokesman of the prosecutors.

Roy told the Senate tribunal the appearance of CJ Corona was conditioned on the Senate agreeing to subpoena Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Rep. Walden Bello, former Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Harvey Keh, who divulged the alleged foreign deposits of Corona, and those who filed a complaint before the Ombudsman about the alleged $10-million account of the Chief Justice so that they can testify under oath about their complaint.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile agreed to issue the subpoenas and also on the defense request for a 48-hour break of the trial so that they can prepare. The trial will resume on Monday, May 14.
Roy told the Senate tribunal that the Chief Justice has denied the existence of the $10-million account but refused to answer the complaint before the Ombudsman pointing out that he was not under the jurisdiction of the agency.
Weeks before the trial resumed on Monday, Roy told Philippines Today there was no way Corona will testify before the tribunal.
Defense lawyer Ramon Esguerra said the decision of the Chief Justice to appear before the Senate-Judges was risky, but it was the call of the day because he was already dying from the many accusations hurled against him, many of which were false and fabricated.
After the Ombudsman and other hostile witnesses shall have testified, Roy said Corona would also appear before the court to rebut the allegations that he has $10 million.
Roy said that if the issue on $10 million is raised before the court, Corona will be “compelled to confront directly the accusations.”.
Roy said that the matter of the US$ 10 million had never been raised in the Impeachment Court.
Enrile told the defense that any asset, regardless of whether legally or illegally obtained, is a function of the SALN (Statement of assets, liabilities and net worth).
The defense assured the Impeachment Court that they will present CJ Renato Corona to respond to all the witnesses on the US$ 10-million issue.
Roy said that once these witnesses testify under oath on the alleged US$ 10 million, they would present evidence to contradict this through the testimony of Corona.
Enrile told the defense that they were happy that they (defense) were cooperating with the Impeachment Court.
Senator-Judge Jose Jinggoy Estrada assured the Chief Justice that if and when he appears before the Impeachment Court, he will be treated fairly.
Corona had said that the accusation that he has a $10 million account was part of the retaliation by President Aquino and his leaders after the Supreme Court ordered the distribution of Hacienda Luisita.
“I do not own $10 million. It simply does not exist. It’s part of the black propaganda and mind conditioning,” Corona said.
Early last week, President Aquino stepped up his attacks on the Chief Justice, saying that it is incumbent upon the chief magistrate to explain his alleged $10 million deposit uncovered by the Office of the Ombudsman.
“He has to explain it. Unexplained wealth is presumed to be ill-gotten,” Aquino said.
Roy said that the matter of the US$ 10 million had never been raised in the Impeachment Court.
Despite the parliamentary courtesy, Enrile said that he was also willing to sign a motion to subpoena Rep. Bello, who is also a complainant before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Roy said the defense as well as Corona are “ready to meet this issue head-on” including the issue involving the alleged dollar deposit of the chief justice with the Philippine Savings Bank.
”When the chief justice testify, this question can be profounded at that time. I wish to assure you the forthright intention of the chief justice your honor,” Roy said.
“We will present the chief justice… definitely,” he assured.
House prosecution spokesman House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III has called the move of the defense as shifting of strategy but “it’s a welcome shift.”
Defense lawyer Tranquil Salvador said Corona would testify, thus “no need to sign waiver on his bank records including dollar accounts.”

Training to focus next week in Los Angeles

BAGUIO CITY – The respected Forbes Magazine has named world boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in its list of America’s Most Influential Athletes for 2012.
Pacquiao, who is concluding his high-altitude training in Baguio City for his June 9 title fight in Las Vegas against undefeated American light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, in fact, is the only boxer on the Forbes list which is dominated by quarterbacks of the National Football League (NFL).
In other developments:
1. Pacquiao’s chief trainer Freddie Roach had to order a change in the headgear of sparring mate Ruslan Provodnikov to protect him from the punishment the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion has been dealing him, reported journalist Eddie Alinea.
After only the opening round of the grueling four-round schedule, Provodnikov’s face was in near distortion as he remained recipient of Pacquiao’s crispy left-and-right combinations.
There’s no plan though to replace Provodnikov as he, to Roach’s own admission, has proven to be the ideal mate for the Filipino boxing idol.
“Everything’s going well so far. No hitches nor, as I have been saying, major distractions,” Roach assured. “Manny’s still has to improve on his power, quickness.”
Pacquiao is set to leave this week for Los Angeles to resume his preparations at the Wild Card Gym.
2. Respected boxing trainer Naazim Richardson believes that undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the most talented boxer in the world, but Filipino champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao remains the best pound-for-pound fighter.
In an interview with On The Ropes Boxing Radio and reported by ABS-CBN, Richardson compared their situation to that of Felix Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr., who were considered as two of the top fighters in the 1990s. 
“Pound-for-pound, Roy Jones is the most talented fighter in boxing. Pound-for-pound, God gave him the most gifts,” Richardson said. “So he’s the most talented fighter in boxing. It’s like saying, yes, (Chinese basketball player) Yao Ming is the tallest guy on the team. That’s just a gift! Nobody else could be that tall if they wanted to,” he added.
“So pound-for-pound, Roy was the most talented, but I said, pound-for-pound Trinidad is the best fighter.”
Richardson, the trainer of “Sugar” Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins, said the same argument could be made when comparing Mayweather and Pacquiao, who are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on most pound-for-pound lists.
“Pound-for-pound, Floyd is the most talented, but pound-for-pound Pacquiao is the best fighter in boxing,” Richardson said.
The trainer added that this is also the reason that boxing fans want to see the two boxers finally face each other inside the ring: to find out once and for all who is the best boxer of their generation. He said many have been turned off by the long wait for the Pacquiao-Mayweather dream fight.
Nascar driver Jimmie Johnson ranked first in the Forbes list, followed by New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
“Likeable boxing champ is a king among the Philippine population. The contrast with boxing “bad guy” Floyd Mayweather doesn’t hurt,” Forbes said of Pacquiao.
Following Pacquiao on the list were New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.
Johnson was named the most influential athlete for the second straight year. Forbes writer Tom Van Riper noted that Johnson’s talent and “guy-next-door demeanor” endeared him both to fans and to marketing chiefs of several brands including Chevrolet and Quaker State.
Six out of the 10 most influential athletes are NFL quarterbacks, something that can be attributed to the “dominance of pro football on television,” according to an ABS-CBN report on the ranking.
“The NFL is just killing it, the league is now part of the American landscape,” said Stephen Master, Nielsen’s vice president for sports.
According to Van Riper, 30 million people watched every NFL playoff game last season, with a staggering 100 million watching the Super Bowl, which featured Manning’s Giants defeating Brady’s Patriots.
ABS-CBN reported that the Forbes’ list of America’s Most Influential Athletes is based on a survey conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll, wherein over 1,100 adults were questioned about dozens of well-known athletes “to measure their likeability and whether they’re considered ‘influential,’” Van Riper said.
“Candidates were limited to pro athletes who are currently active and who score at least 20% awareness with the general public,” he added.