Filipino boxing icon and former eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, not just in the Philippines but globally. Known for his unparalleled speed, technique, and power, Pacquiao's ability to transcend weight classes and dominate across various divisions has cemented his legacy as a legend in the sport of boxing.
A key testament to Pacquiao's unique talents came from former International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion and World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion, Shane Mosley.
Mosley is no stranger to facing the best, having fought legendary figures like Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Vernon Forrest, and Saul Canelo Alvarez during his career. Despite being a powerful puncher himself, Mosley has consistently pointed to Manny Pacquiao as the hardest puncher he ever encountered in the ring.
Mosley’s clash with Pacquiao occurred on May 7, 2011, at the iconic MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Leading up to the fight, Mosley was a proven veteran, having fought some of the most elite names in boxing. But when he faced Pacquiao, he quickly realized that the Filipino star was unlike any other fighter he had ever faced. In the third round of their bout, Pacquiao floored Mosley with a sharp left hand, one of the few knockdowns Mosley had suffered in his illustrious career.
Mosley recounted the moment, explaining that Pacquiao's punch didn’t feel like typical knockout power. It wasn’t the heavy, thudding blow one might expect from a knockout puncher. Instead, it was what he described as a "snapping punch." Mosley explained that while he saw the punch coming, the effect it had on him was far beyond what he anticipated.
In an interview with ES News, Mosley was asked about the hardest puncher he ever faced. Without hesitation, Mosley named Manny Pacquiao. “It was the way he threw the punch and how it felt,” Mosley said, describing Pacquiao’s unique power. “It didn’t feel hard, it felt like a snapping punch. When I went down, it seemed like it could have been a flash knockdown, but when I got up, I felt the effects—feeling a little dizzy.”
What surprised Mosley the most was how a fighter of Pacquiao’s size, who was considerably smaller than many of Mosley’s previous opponents, could generate such power. “I thought, wow, that’s interesting that this little guy hits me with a left hand that I saw coming, and I go down,” Mosley recalled.
Comparing Pacquiao to other fighters, Mosley mentioned that he had faced much larger opponents, including Canelo Alvarez, who hit him with everything but couldn’t drop him. “I’ve been in with heavyweights, light-heavyweights, anybody,” Mosley explained. “Canelo hit me with everything in the book he could, and I’m still walking him down, still going forward. And Pacquiao hits me with a little straight left hand, and I felt a little weak.”
According to Mosley, Pacquiao’s power was unlike anything he had experienced. It wasn’t just the force of the punch but the speed and precision with which it was delivered. “Pacquiao has some freaky type of power that I haven’t seen in all my fights,” Mosley said, admitting that he was left dizzy by the Filipino’s punch, a rare occurrence in his long and storied career.
While Mosley retired from professional boxing in 2016, Pacquiao has continued to stay active in the sport, participating in exhibition fights and keeping his name in the conversation. His most recent appearance in the ring came in July 2023, when he faced Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition match during the Super Rizin 3 event at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
THANK YOU EVERYONE! Thank you Rizin for a great event and to Anpo for a great fight. THANK YOU TO ALL OF JAPAN! Thanks to my family, team, and friends for your love and support. Thank you, my fellow Filipinos, for your prayers and support. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas 🇵🇭
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 28, 2024
Above all,… pic.twitter.com/sKJuxrUBXH
At the age of 45, Pacquiao has shown little sign of slowing down. Reports indicate that he remains eager to compete in the welterweight division, with a particular interest in fighting for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title. While discussions with champion Mario Barrios and his team were underway, a potential fight in 2024 was derailed as Barrios instead opted to defend his title against Abel Ramos in November.
Though a title fight seems unlikely in the immediate future, Pacquiao’s ambition remains undiminished. Whether he will retire from the sport for good or continue to chase another world title remains to be seen. His resilience and determination, even after decades of competition, stand as a testament to his legendary status.
Pacquiao’s career is an embodiment of versatility and determination. The Filipino star rose from poverty to achieve international fame, not just for his in-ring accomplishments but also for his contributions to humanitarian causes and his career in Philippine politics. For many, Pacquiao symbolizes the hope, grit, and strength of the Filipino people.
His success across eight weight divisions—a feat unmatched in the history of boxing—only adds to the aura of his legacy. For fans, his unmatched blend of speed, technique, and punching power makes every fight an exciting spectacle. Fighters like Shane Mosley have faced some of the hardest punchers in the sport, but even they have been caught off-guard by Pacquiao’s freakish power.
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