EXACTLY a week after listing Manny Pacquiao at No. 71 among the top 100 professional athletes since 2000, ESPN ranked 'Pacman' the top Asian athlete of the 21st century.
Boxing's only eight-division world champion was first in line in an illustrious roll call that also includes basketball's Yao Ming and baseball's Ichiro Suzuki.
ESPN furthered its ranking by saying "'PacMan' is arguably one of the greatest boxers of all time.'"
Last week, the media organization published its list of the greatest sporting icons of this milennium, topped by 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps who was then followed by Serena Williams, Lionel Messi, LeBron James, and Tom Brady.
Pacquiao, however, was placed 71st by over 70,000 votes from ESPN contributors, sandwiched between footballer Andrés Iniesta and snowboarder Shaun White. He was one of three boxers in the top 100, a distant second from Floyd Mayweather (25) and close to Bernard Hopkins (78).
READ: Pacquiao braces for exhibition bout with Japanese kickboxer on Sunday
A week later, ESPN zoned in on Asia, and recognized the Philippines' pride as the best of the best to come from the continent since 2000.
Pacquiao's not alone
Three Filipinos actually made it to the top 25 Asian athletes of the 21st century.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines first and thus far only Olympic gold medalist, stands at No. 19.
"Diaz's historic achievement and her role in elevating weightlifting in the Philippines are testaments to her exceptional talent and determination," explained ESPN.
Meanwhile, the PBA's 10-time champion and seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo also made the cut at 25th.
"Fajardo's consistent excellence and influence on Philippine basketball underscore his significant impact on the sport that Filipinos love," detailed the media organization.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
