Kobe Bryant may be as big a star as there is in the United States, but there's no doubt he's the underdog in this competition.
The Lakers' superstar is a nominee for this year's Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, according to BoxingScene.com, but he's facing a mighty challenger in boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, 32, is fresh off a win over Antonio Margarito, a victory that gave Pacquiao a title in eight weight classes.
Bryant, meanwhile, won his fifth NBA title last season, as he continues to be perhaps the best basketball player on the planet at 32 years old.
Other nominees, according to BoxingScene.com, are soccer stars Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, tennis champion Rafael Nadal and F1 racer Sebastien Vettel.
The winner will be announced on Feb. 7.
