MANILA, Philippines – Aside from lording over the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound list, seven-time world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has entered various global rankings this year for his power, influence and celebrity.

The Filipino boxing sensation made it to yet another list, this time as one of ESPNSTAR.com’s Top 10 stars of 2009.

“The Filipino fought twice in 2009 and in the process underlined his status as the number one fighter in the sport today - Floyd Mayweather included,” Pacquiao’s entry in the ESPN and Star Sports website noted.

“The Pacman” demolished British superstar Ricky Hatton in the 2nd round on their May 2 tiff. He followed this up with another stunning triumph on November 14 when he conquered Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto via technical knockout in Round 12.

Pacquiao earlier made it to the Forbes Magazine 100 most powerful celebrities in the world (No. 57) and Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People (No. 22). He also graced the cover of Time Magazine’s Asia edition in November.

Joining Pacquiao in the Top 10 sports stars of 2009 list are Jenson Button (motorsport), Andrew Strauss (cricket), John Smit (rugby), Ye Yang (golf), Anita Wlodarcyzk (athletics – hammer throw), Ryan Giggs (football) and Beth Tweddle (gymnastics).

Kim Clijsters of Belgium was also included in the list for staging a stunning comeback in professional tennis by copping the 2009 US Open title.

Jamaican Usain Bolt rounds up the Top 10 list after surpassing his astounding 2008 Beijing Olympics performances this year. He finished the 100-meter race in 9.58 seconds and ended the 200m race in 19.19 seconds at the World Championships.

The sprinter was heralded as the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for 2009.

Remarkable moments

Pacquiao’s KO and TKO wins, however, were snubbed by the sports website in its “Ten moments to remember in 2009” list.

World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion David Haye was the lone boxing representative in the list. The Briton was cited for his victory over Russian Nikolai Valuev.

Other “moments to remember” include Button’s sweep of 6 of the first 7 Formula One races, Bolt’s record-breaking results at the World Championships, Clijsters’ US Open success, and Roger Federer’s win over Andy Roddick in their marathon Wimbledon final.

The other moments involved cricketer Andrew Strauss in the Ashes, diver Tom Daley, Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam, and the FA Cup final between Everton and Chelsea.

Forgettable

The sporting world also encountered shocking and even scandalous moments which ESPNStar.com called “the ten moments to forget in 2009.”

These include Tiger Woods’ fall from grace due to his infidelity, Andre Agassi’s admission of using crystal meth, and Renault owner Flavio Briatore’s ban from Formula One.

The Renault team was found guilty of ordering Nelson Piquet, Jr. to crash in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to help Fernando Alonso win.

Renault was also suspended.

The other moments concerned Dinara Safina’s slump, Newcastle’s relegation, England’s exit in the Ashes, pole-vault legend Yelena Isinbayeva’s failure in the World Championships, and the cancellation of the Valuev vs Ruslan Chagaev fight after the latter failed a blood test on the eve of the title bout.

Track and field’s Rashid Ramzi, meantime, was stripped off his Beijing Olympics men’s 1500m gold medal after testing positive for the blood-boosting drug Cera.

Tom Williams, a rugby player for the Harlequins was found to have faked an injury in order to bring back a penalty kicker on the field.

Share of intrigues

Although Pacquiao was not included in the “forgettable moments” list, the Filipino boxing sensation was not spared from intrigues this year.

The pound-for-pound king was rumored to have an extramarital affair with young sexy actress Krista Ranillo, his co-star in the upcoming film “Wapakman.” Pacquiao insisted that nothing romantic happened to him and Ranillo.

Controversial trainer Floyd Mayweather, Sr. also claimed Pacquiao was taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Pacquiao and his team denied the allegation. Even the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) confirmed that Pacquiao has tested clean before and after the Cotto fight. It was the 10th time that Pacquiao turned in clean tests in Nevada.

The Filipino boxing champ also dealt with critics who oppose his Sarangani Province congressional bid in the 2010 elections. The country’s prized fighter has always stressed his desire to serve his countrymen especially the less-fortunate.