After sharing the ring with many big punchers during his career, Manny Pacquiao has revealed the ‘incredible’ fighter who has hit him the hardest.
The Filipino great remains the only fighter in boxing history to win world titles in eight separate weight classes, ranging from flyweight to light-middleweight.
He established himself as one of the best fighters of the 2000s, defeating the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Erik Morales during this period.
The 46-year-old made a sensational return to the ring back in July after taking a four year hiatus, fighting to a majority decision draw against reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
In a round of ‘Best I Faced’ with The Ring Magazine, Pacquiao named none other than Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto when asked to reveal the biggest puncher that he has ever crossed paths with, despite being stopped brutally by Juan Manuel Marquez.
“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 stopped Cotto in the 12th and final round of their clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas back in November 2009 to capture the WBO world welterweight title from the grasp of the Puerto Rican great.
Despite this defeat, Cotto enjoyed a successful professional career of his own where he would win world titles in four weight classes, earning himself a spot in the 2022 International Boxing Hall of Fame.
