Manny Pacquiao Revealed Only Fighter Who 'Could Figure Him Out'

Manny Pacquiao previously named the only opponent who could figure him out inside the boxing ring.

At 41, eight-division title holder Pacquiao is still regarded as one of the most dangerous fighters inside the boxing ring. Many are still convinced that he can still compete at the highest level given his age. Known as an explosive puncher who always wants to engage his opponents in a dog fight, Pacquiao proved that he still got it when he floored a much younger fighter Keith Thurman in his last fight.

For years, it seems like nobody has really found a way to stop “Pac-man.” But just like any other long-time champs, Pacquiao also has the one fighter whom he considers his toughest rival.

In an exclusive interview published by RingTV in April 2019, Pacquiao revealed the only opponent who could bring out the best and worst out of him. According to the legend, his Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez was the only fighter who could “figure him out” inside the ring.

“He is the only fighter who really could figure me out and anticipate my moves. He is a brilliant counterpuncher and a tremendous warrior,” Pacquiao said of Marquez.

As for the best overall fighter he has faced, Pacquiao also considers an array of past opponents aside from Marquez.

“I cannot specify one. Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales all had tremendous skills. They commanded respect because they were all multi-dimensional. I had to be on my toes and give them my 100 percent concentration because they were so dangerous in the ring,” Pacquiao revealed.

On December 8, 2012, Marquez KO’d Pacquiao to become one of the few boxers who have scored a clean knock out win over “Pac-man.” To this day, some in boxing still remembers how the “Dinamita” stop the Filipino legend.

In a recent video call interview, former featherweight champ Abner Mares compared Pacquiao’s next possible opponent Mikey Garcia to Marquez. According to Mares, Garcia could edge the long-time champ because he has the mentality Marquez used to have during his epic battles with Pacquiao.

“Because he’s a fighter that thinks a lot in the ring, like Juan Manuel Marquez. This is a man that is thinking about the punches he’s throwing. We saw that with Jesse Vargas (fight) he’s really really patient. Not many fighters have that,” Mares said of Garcia.