During a recent interview, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao revealed the hardest hitter he ever faced inside the ring, and the answer should not be too surprising.

Manny Pacquiao is not only one of the most famous fighters ever his era, he will go down as one of the most beloved pugilists in boxing history. His furious and fast fight style was a sight to behold during his peak, and his humble nature after living in Filipino poverty for most of his life made him difficult not to like.

What also makes him such a legendary figure in the sport is he fought many of the greatest fighters of his time throughout the eight divisions he competed. While Floyd Mayweather is probably the best all-around fighter he ever faced, the hardest puncher he fought during his career is a more intriguing question.

And that was one of the inquiries made in a new edition of Ring Magazine’s “Best I’ve Ever Faced” column that “Pacman” recently took part in.

Manny Pacquiao claims Miguel Cotto was the hardest puncher and smartest fighter he ever faced

“I can still feel some of those punches he threw at me,” Pacquiao said about former foe Miguel Cotto. “Staying on the ropes is not the best place to be when you are fighting him. He’s also accurate. He’s incredible.”

Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto faced off in a WBC and WBO welterweight title bout in 2009. In the column, the former Filipino Congressman also claimed the Puerto Rican legend was the smartest fighter he ever faced. However, that punching power and smarts did not stop Pacquiao from scoring a 12th-round technical knockout.

While Pacquaio faced some amazing fighters, such as Shane Mosely, Oscar Dela Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Ricky Hatton, none of them had the pure punching power of Cotto. So it’s not too surprising that he ended up being the hardest hitter he fought during his career. Cotto earned 33 knockouts in his 41 wins.

Pacquiao is rumored to make his return to action later this year.