If you try and think of athletes from the Philippines, one name will often be the first thought of: Manny Pacquiao.

In truth, the country has been able to produce a number of other notable athletes, with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, two-time gold medal World Champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, and pole vaulter E.J. Obiena, however, the boxer has been one of the world's biggest stars to hail from the Asian nation.

Indeed, he has achieved a global reputation with everything that he managed to achieve in the sport, while those closer to home will know about the work that he has been doing outside of the boxing ring.

Pacquiao's boxing achievements

If we were to look at the achievements that Pacquaio managed to accomplish as a boxer, it becomes very easy to understand why so many place the label on him of being the best sporting export from the country.

He is one of the most decorated boxers in the history of the sport, which is why he has always been a popular option for bettors. Many of them have continued to use the best betting sites in the Philippines for all of their wagering needs, and whenever "Pac Man" has been involved, they've typically placed a bet on him because of how confident they've been in his ability.

Pacquiao has managed to win a total of 12 major world titles throughout the course of his career, with eight of those in different divisions; in doing so, he is the only boxer to have been able to. The titles he has held are:

● WBC Flyweight
● IBF Super bantamweight
● The Ring Featherweight
● WBC Super featherweight
● The Ring Super featherweight
● WBC Lightweight
● The Ring Light welterweight
● 3x WBO Welterweight
● WBC Light middleweight
● WBA (Super) Welterweight

Because of his achievements, he has been labelled as one of the greatest boxers of all-time. He was the first to win four titles across the eight "glamour divisions," while he is the only boxer to have held world championships over four decades. He has held titles between the 1990s and 2020s.

It's not a surprise that he was also involved in one of the biggest fights to have ever taken place in a boxing ring. Known as one of the pound-for-pound kings, he would go on and face Floyd "Money" Mayweather in a fight in 2015. He did lose the fight by unanimous decision, with many being disappointed with the quality of the bout after all the hype that it had received.

As an athlete, Pacquiao also played basketball and founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, which turned professional in 2022 after being formed just five years earlier.

Pacquiao's impact on the Philippines outside of the ring

As stated, Pacquiao's impact across The Philippines has been felt outside of the boxing ring just as much as it was inside the ropes.

Now 45, he has been an elected official in his home country, holding various roles within office. After entering politics in 2010, he was elected the representative of Sarangani. He would hold this role for six years before becoming the Senator of the Philippines for a following six years. His term would come to an end in 2022. In the same year, he would end up running for the Presidency of the country, but would lose to Bongbong Marcos.

Pac Man is also a philanthropist and has been known to contribute to many other causes that have looked to try and help the Filipino population.

Pacquiao's legacy will carry on

An incredibly individual and almost one-of-a-kind, Manny Pacquiao's legacy is one that will live on through the Filipino people and the rest of the world. He had a significant impact in more ways than one, but from a sporting POV, it's clear to see why he is considered by so many to be the country's best athlete.