Filipino great Manny Pacquiao once revealed who he believes is the greatest knockout artist in boxing’s long history.
Known as ‘PacMan’, Pacquiao remains the only fighter to have won world titles in eight weight classes, having first claimed world honours at flyweight, before climbing all the way up to the light-middleweight division and winning gold there.
The 47-year-old has produced no less than 62 victories along the way, defeating the likes of Timothy Bradley Jr, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley to name just a few.
Pacquiao made a sensational return to the ring in July of 2025, bringing an end to a four-year hiatus when he fought to a majority decision draw against former WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
In a feature shared by IBA Boxing, Pacquiao didn’t hesitate to name Mexican icon Julio Cesar Chavez Sr as the greatest knockout artist to have ever laced up a pair of gloves.
“Knockout artist? Julio Cesar Chavez.”
Chavez had an outstanding boxing career of his own which saw him feature in 115 professional contests as well as winning world titles in several weight classes during his tenure.
The Mexican great produced 107 victories during his career, defeating the likes of Hector Camacho, Meldrick Taylor and Greg Haugen before he eventually hung the gloves up following a defeat to Grover Wiley in September of 2005.
Six-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya often speaks fondly of Chavez and has previously named him as the toughest opponent of his own professional career.
