By Al Mendoza
All Write

IN MY list, two men mattered most in 2008. Strangely, they have the same initials: MP.

Manny Pacquiao. Filipino.
Michael Phelps. American.
Pacquiao boxed his way to immortality.
Phelps swam his way to immortality.

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In 2008, Pacquiao won all his three fights. Two were world title bouts; one was for fame and fortune.

In 2008, Phelps won all his eight events in the Beijing Olympics. No swimmer has ever done that.

The wins over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz made Pacquiao world champion in the 130- and 135-lb divisions, respectively.

But Pacquiao's unexpected, almost no-sweat, TKO victory over Oscar De La Hoya was one for the books.

For one, in fashioning out the win, Pacquiao defied the odds in a catch-weight 147-lb bout - a jump into two weight divisions from 135 lbs.

For another, the fight alone - win or lose - officially made Pacquiao a billionaire, peso-wise.

In the HBO Pay-Per-View deal, Pacquiao already earned $11 million. Include his assured purse of US$15 million and Pacquiao would officially pocket no less than one billion pesos.

Easily now, Pacquiao, a former bakery helper, has become the wealthiest Filipino athlete of all time.

He can retire anytime and, awash with cash, he can even live five lifetimes and still leave a bank account afterward for his great-great grandchildren to enjoy.

Pacquiao's secret?

"My love for God and unqualified devotion to hard work," he said. Neat. As to Phelps, well, his eight gold medals that broke the seven set by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Munich Olympics had given the Maryland native instant wealth and celebrity status.

How did Phelps do it?

"All I do is sleep, eat and swim," he said.

Cool.