With 112 professional wins and 27 world titles between them, the debate still rages to this day as to who was the better fighter – Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao or Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather?
Whilst we’re sure that boxing fanatics could argue over that question for days upon end, one British boxing legend didn’t hesitate to give his answer – even claiming that one of those icons was better ‘all day’ long.
‘The Hitman’ on who’s better – Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao represent two of the greatest boxers in the sport’s history, and even though ‘Money’ was able to get the win over ‘PacMan’ in 2015, there’s still a fierce debate raging as to who was the better fighter.
To answer that question, you can look at professional wins, knockout rates, strength of schedule, or resume – but you can also ask someone who’s fought them both.
Step up British boxing legend, Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, who faced Mayweather in 2007 and Pacquiao in 2009 – both of those bouts ended in KO losses for the Mancunian sporting icon.
Despite Pacquiao being able to get ‘The Hitman’ out of there far quicker (R2) than Mayweather (R10), Hatton still believes that ‘Money’ was the superior boxer.
“People ask me a lot who’s the best, Pacquiao or Mayweather?” Hatton stated in a conversation with Simon Jordan on Up Front in 2023.
“I say Mayweather all day, to be honest with you.”
“After the Mayweather fight, I sat in the changing room on my own, and I thought he was f**** good… Even when I got one [shot] through, he would [slip] with half a shoulder, half a block, or half an elbow.
“The fact that he knew when to absorb my pressure and then knew when to put his foot on the gas, I mean, yeah, he was very good.”
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would meet in the ring in 2015, and looking back at the history books, it turns out that Ricky Hatton predicted the outcome of that super-fight pretty much perfectly.
“I think Manny has all the tools in order to beat him, he’s a southpaw which makes it a little bit awkward,” Hatton told Sky Sports.
“He’s got fast feet and fast hands and is probably someone who can match Mayweather for speed… I think if he can match Mayweather for speed and get in-and-out like he did against Oscar De La Hoya – straight punches rather than hooks, which Manny is very good at – I think he’s got a great chance.
“But my gut feeling is that Mayweather will adapt his style like he always does and probably beat Manny on points.”
Hatton’s prediction rang true, with Mayweather ultimately walking away with the unanimous decision victory; although there’s more than a case for that bout being skewed Money’s way, since Pacquiao was far begone from his fighting prime.
What do you think, between these two boxing legends; who would you say was the superior fighter?