Mayweather Tops Highest-Paid Athlete List 

Even though he’s behind bars serving an 87-day jail sentence, Floyd Mayweather’s “Money” nickname is proving to be well earned. The man considered to be the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world is also the world’s richest athlete, according to Forbes magazine. According to the financial publication, Money Mayweather earned a whopping $85 million this year alone from his public bouts with Miguel Cotto and Victor Ortiz. With his new crowning, the boxing champ has knocked Tiger Woods from the top spot who came in at No. 1 with $75 million in earnings in 2011.

With their annual list of the 100 highest paid athletes in the world, Forbes has chronicled athletes whose skills in sports have successfully turned into stacks of cash. Included in the list are tennis champs, NBA ballers, soccer stars and football players.

Check out the first 10 athletes on Forbes‘ list of 100 highest-paid athletes below. –danielle canada