This decade had some big punchers. Wlad was definitely the hardest puncher of that decade in absolute terms. But how do we even compare HWs to lower weight class guys pound for pound. So I'll leave him out of this for this discussion. Pacquiao is the hardest hitter of the 2000s pound for pound. Name me one Flyweight champ could knockout a 2009 version of Cotto. No Flyweight in history has that type of power. Hell, even the massive punching, natural 140 pounder, Randall Bailey was decapitated by Cotto. And Micro-Pac annihilated him Cotto. Also, for what it's worth Ricardo Torres could really bang too. Cotto was routinely matched with huge bangers. Name me one other Featherweight in history who could stop a 2003 version of Barrera? Naseem Hamed landed flush a couple times on MAB. And despite his repuatation as a huge puncher, Barrera didn't even flinch when Hamed landed. Pacquiao dropped MAB with 1 left hand. And hurt him so bad Barrera's brother jumped into the ring crying. Against Marquez, Pacquiao rose up in weight to fight a career Featherweight. A guy who was never stopped, even against Welterweights and Lightweights. And Pac dropped him 3 times in the opening round. With just a single straight left hand. Pac had Morales hurt again in the opening round with a single left. Morales was doubled over in agony and only his tremendous heart kept him going. Then Pac stopped him in the rematch. He even made Morales back up and retreat and disengage. And nobody and I mean nobody, backs up Morales and makes him run. He iced Ricky Hatton with 1 shot in the middle of the ring. He hit that poor soul so hard that he was forced to hyperventilate on his back, so that he didnt die. The man rose from Flyweight to end Margaritos career and break his face. Name me one other Flyweight who could beat the daylights out of Margarito. Honorable mentions include Edwin Valero, David Haye, Kelly Pavlik. All these guys were big hitters, but none could stop, hurt, drop and destroy the caliber of fighters Pacquiao could. And none could rise up the weights like Pac. Although I must say Haye rocking Valuev was impressive. I could see the argument to be made for Tito Trinidad being the biggest hitter of the 2000s pound for pound. He had shocking power, that left hook was bone shattering. The way he moved up to 160 pounds and savaged Joppy that easily was incredible. And you could tell that wasnt his natural weight class at all. He was looking soft and skinny at 160 pounds. The guy truly had special power. But I'm gonna give it to Pac.
Valero is such an unknown. Its possible that Valero hit harder, but his competition level of so low we will never know. It's also possible for Valero to hit harder than Manny, but for Manny to still be the bigger hitter p4p.
How does that make any sense? I get if you would compare Manny to say Golovkin P4P. But Manny and Valero were the same size.
Age plays a factor. Manny outgrew 122 by the time he was 24. Valero was at 24 was still at 130. There is not an enormous disparity in size there. Just a handful of pounds and a few inches.
Fair post. The size difference isnt that great. I will say that Valero definitely looks thicker in the core and has wider clavicles too. But you're right Pacquiao was having trouble making 122 by his mid 20s.
Regardless, I wonder who hit harder. I think Valero might have actually been a bit more powerful, but Manny gets the edge due to his immense speed. When Valero came at you, you would know it. Manny blitzed guys without them realizing what had happened.
If I had to stand still and take a punch to the face, I’d rather have Pac deliver it than either of the two I mentioned.
You wouldn't want David Price unloading a free shot on your face. Id chose all 3 of those guys before id chose Price or any other heavy handed HW.
Yes Bailey punches harder than Pacquiao does. And Usyk punches harder than Bailey. So who is the hardest hitter p4p? It's not Bailey.
Honestly, I disagree with this thread. I think that Marquez (juiced and unjuiced) hit harder than Pacquiao. Obviously Valero as well. It's Pacquiao's speed and angles that messes dudes up... Not the actual power. Broner ate flush power shots from Maidana and Mikey for 12 rounds and still came forward. Pacquiao's shots had Broner badly hurt and looking at the clock as he ran for survival.
