Throughout his 72 fight professional career that spanned across four decades, Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao faced some of the greatest fighters and heaviest hitters of multiple generations.
However, the seven weight world champion has revealed which of his opponents packed a punch harder than all the rest.
In an interview with RingTV.com, ‘Pac Man’ named Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto as the biggest puncher he faced, saying he “can still feel some of the punches he threw at me.”
“Miguel Cotto – I can still feel some of those punches he threw at me. Staying on the ropes is not the best place to be when you are fighting him. He’s also accurate. He’s incredible.”
Pacquiao and Cotto locked horns in a welterweight world title fight back in 2009, where the former emerged victorious via a stunning twelfth round knockout.
Though he has not boxed since 2021 and is now well into his forties, Pacquiao was remarkably linked to a comeback fight against British contender Conor Benn earlier this year, though common sense seems to have prevailed and talk of this has significantly cooled.
It would not be out of the question to see the Senator return in an exhibition match of sorts, with Amir Khan stating he would be open to a move around with the all time great at some point.
He has stated his desire to win Olympic Gold in the Paris games, though he is over the age threshold of 40.
Khan and Pacquaio had been linked to a big money fight in the Middle East the latter stages of both their careers, though both ended up moving in a different direction.