If Floyd Mayweather Jr. saw Manny Pacquiao’s latest video, he might be wondering whether to make another knockout-only diss reel like the one he once posted about Roy Jones Jr. The Filipino icon does not rank their 2015 showdown as the toughest fight of his career. At 47, Pacquiao has already drawn comparisons with Mayweather after returning to professional action four years after retirement. He pushed a reigning champion to the brink and now finds himself back in the mix for several intriguing matchups.

While reports link him to a potential April exhibition against former titleholder Ruslan Provodnikov, Manny Pacquiao recently looked back on the toughest and easiest fights of his eight-division title run. Surprisingly, neither Mayweather nor any of the other marquee names who defeated him made his list.

Manny Pacquiao reveals his most brutal test and easiest win

“(The) Marquez fight, like the Marquez II,” Pacquiao said when Dan Canobbio asked about the toughest fight of his career.

Canobbio accepted the answer without hesitation. Many longtime fans understand why Pacquiao singled out the rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez. The two first met on May 8, 2004, in a bout that ended in a draw, setting the stage for their second encounter four years later.

When they met again on March 15, 2008, Pacquiao was coming off the third loss of his career, suffered against Erik Morales. Even so, that setback faded in comparison to the challenge Marquez presented at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, where the WBC and The Ring super featherweight titles were on the line. In contrast, Pacquiao also named the easiest fight of his career: a second-round knockout of British star Ricky Hatton.

During the conversation, Canobbio remarked, “That’s the coldest knockout still. I watched it earlier today, right on the chin.” Pacquiao replied, “Before the fight we knew what was going to happen. I studied it over and over every day.” His comments struck a chord with many fans.

One viewer wrote, “Pacquiao’s answers were spot on. Hatton’s style was ideal for Pacquiao. Hatton comes forward aggressively with little jab usage and minimal defense, and Pacquiao took control early. Marquez was clearly Pacquiao’s toughest opponent.”

Why Pacquiao puts another fight above Mayweather

Pacquiao’s assessment carries weight. The fight with Juan Manuel Marquez was competitive and physical, and both fighters suffered cuts. Although Marquez landed more punches and connected at a higher percentage, a decisive third-round knockdown – when Pacquiao floored him with a left hook – tilted the scorecards in the Filipino’s favor.

Their rivalry did not end there. They met again three years later, with Pacquiao earning a majority decision victory, before a fourth and final bout a year after that. In that fight, Marquez produced a dramatic knockout to secure a definitive win over Pacquiao.

Many observers believe Pacquiao’s final loss to Marquez helped pave the way for his long-anticipated fight with Floyd Mayweather. Despite its massive commercial success, the 2015 bout unfolded as a cautious and tactical contest. Reports at the time indicated Pacquiao entered the ring with a shoulder injury, which may explain why he excluded it from his toughest-fight discussion.

Against an opponent like Marquez, however, Pacquiao consistently delivered performances that showcased his best qualities and produced moments that remain memorable for boxing fans.