Filipino great Manny Pacquiao has given credit to an ‘incredible’ former world champion when naming the hardest puncher he’s faced during his professional career.
Often regarded as being one of the greatest fighters in boxing history, Pacquiao remains the only man to have captured world titles in eight weight classes, spanning between flyweight and light-middleweight.
The former pound-for-pound great rose to stardom during the 2000s where he produced victories over the likes of Erik Morales, Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya amongst a number of other world class fighters.
‘PacMan’ made a shock return to the sport in July of last year when he fought to a majority draw against former WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, although many feel the 47-year-old had done enough to be declared the winner.
In a feature with The Ring Magazine, Pacquiao gave plaudits to former rival Miguel Cotto who he claims has hit him the hardest during his decorated professional career.
“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 got the better of Cotto when they locked horns for the WBO welterweight title in 2009, stopping the Puerto Rican great in the 12th and final round of their clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Despite this defeat, Cotto is still credited with being one of the best fighters of his generation, winning world titles in no less than four weight classes before his career came to an end in 2017.
