Not only did pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao have an incredible year, he had one for the ages. The Filipino icon's fabulous year harkened back to a time 70 years ago when the great Hall of Famer Henry Armstrong claimed, in order, the world featherweight, welterweight and lightweight championships -- when there were only eight total divisions, instead of today's 17 -- during a 10-month period from October 1937 to August 1938. - Carlo Maglinao

Dan Rafael of ESPN: Frankly, with apologies to Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps, Pacquiao should be in the conversation for athlete of the year, regardless of sport. - Carlo Maglinao