Evander Holyfield was the first, and until recently the only man, to achieve undisputed status at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, securing his place in the history books for a campaign which many feel makes him one of the greatest fighters ever.
‘The Real Deal’ moved up to the top division in a difficult era, proving critics who felt his lean physique wasn’t made for it wrong by becoming the first and sole four-time heavyweight champion beating the likes of Larry Holmes, George Foreman and Mike Tyson.
So does one of the greatest regard as his favourite fighter? The answer is another legend of the sport.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Holyfield praised Manny Pacquiao.
“I like Pacquiao. Pacquiao was a good fighter. He’s my favourite, cause the fact of the matter [is] he’s humble, he does what he believes is right, and it’s just amazing. Even when he fought Mayweather, have you ever seen somebody throw more punches than Pacquiao? … Pacquiao’s the most business fighter in the world. He like that rabbit that you turn up. He’s always punching.”
Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight division champion and has held a world title in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s – the last of which made him the oldest welterweight titlist in the sport’s history.
The Filipino’s aggression and high output made him a box office star, and his loss to Floyd Mayweather – as referenced by Holyfield – is yet to be outsold. As an aside, Pacquiao threw 429 punches over the twelve rounds and landed 81, whereas Mayweather threw 435 and landed 148.
At 45-years-old, Pacquiao is now considering a comeback and may well be presented with a WBC Welterweight World Title shot against newly-elevated champion Mario Barrios. If he takes the fight and wins, he’ll break his own record.
