Manny Pacquiao's Top 5 Victories of All Time

Manny Pacquiao's win over Chris Algieri last Saturday was extremely one-sided, with Pacquiao scoring six knockdowns on his way to a unanimous decision.

It was an impressive way to win, but in terms of the quality of opponent, Algieri is a far cry from Pacquiao's best.

Some legendary names have been on the receiving end of Pacquiao's fistic flurries, and on the back of such a simple win, it's worth reminding ourselves of who the Filipino has beaten in the past.

In order to rank Pacquiao's best wins accurately, it is important to take note of not just the quality of his opponent but the method of the win and the feat accomplished in victory (i.e. what did it mean?).

Honourable mentions that didn't quite make the cut based on the aforementioned criteria include:

• Oscar De La Hoya (RTD8)
• Antonio Margarito (UD12)
• Lehlo Ledwaba (TKO6)
• Joshua Clottey (UD12)
• Chatchai Sasakul (KO8)

As you can see from the omitted fights above, there is real depth to Pacquiao's resume, making it all the harder to narrow down his best wins to a list of five.

If you disagree with my selections or rankings, feel free to comment and explain why. It should make for great debate!

5. Ricky Hatton

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Quality of Opponent

Hatton was rumoured to be on the slide by the time Pacquiao met him, but he was still considered the No. 1 man at light welterweight. Also, Hatton had experienced defeat just once prior this fight—a defeat to Floyd Mayweather.

Method of Victory

Hatton went to war with Pacquiao and the Filipino obliged. Pacquiao made sure Hatton paid a price for such reckless tactics in the first round, knocking him down twice.

Pacquiao then sealed the victory with a beautifully timed overhand left that knocked Hatton out and caused the Englishman to take a three-year hiatus from the ring.

Feat Accomplished

Many pundits were still unsure of Pacquiao's power at the higher weight classes. His only previous win above lightweight was a stoppage of a weight-drained Oscar De La Hoya.

In knocking Hatton out cold, Pacquiao showed he could carry his power above and beyond 135 pounds.

4. Erik Morales II

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Quality of Opponent

Morales had inflicted defeat upon Pacquiao for the first time in six years when they first met in 2005.

When they fought again just under one year later, Morales had since lost to Zahir Raheem, but as the old saying goes, "styles make fights" and Morales was always going to be a tough stylistic match for Pacquiao.

Method of Victory

The second fight was just as enticing as the first. Morales started fast, proving he still had what it took to trouble the younger man, but Pacquiao gradually ground the Mexican legend down with faster hands and volume punching.

In the 10th round, Pacquiao knocked Morales down twice before referee Kenny Bayless called a halt to proceedings.

Feat Accomplished

In ending the fight early, Pacquiao became the first person to beat Morales inside the scheduled distance. It was also an important victory in that it levelled the rivals up at one win apiece, prompting a third encounter later in 2006.

3. Juan Manuel Marquez II

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Quality of Opponent

Marquez and Pacquiao shared the spoils in drawing their first meeting in 2004. Four years later, and one weight division heavier, the pair finally met again to try and settle the score.

Marquez, who was already regarded as a class act, had recovered from three knockdowns in that first fight to cause Pacquiao fits, so clearly he was stylistically troublesome for the iconic Filipino.

Method of Victory

As is the story of the long Pacquiao vs. Marquez saga, the second fight was just as controversial as the first, with some seeing Pacquiao's split decision win as poor judging.

There was only one knockdown second time around, as Pacquiao floored Marquez in the third, but this rematch was just as enthralling as it provided great back-and-forth and an intriguing clash of styles.

Feat Accomplished

Although this win hardly buried the hatchet (Pacquiao and Marquez would fight each other a further three times), it did give Pacquiao a victory over his greatest rival and biggest career threat.

2. Marco Antonio Barrera I

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Quality of Opponent

In 2002 Barrera trumped Erik Morales in their third fight to seal victory in their excellent trilogy. The year before that, Barrera had out-boxed the previously unbeaten and highly-thought-of Naseem Hamed.

Going into this fight, Barrera was the bona fide No. 1 featherweight in the world. Even so, he was nearing 30 years of age and had engaged in plenty of hard fights.

Method of Victory

Pacquiao started fast and carried on until Barrera could cope no more. His relentless assaults were a tempo that Barrera just couldn't keep pace with, and in an emotional 11th round, the Mexican's corner pulled him out, saving him from more punishment.

Feat Accomplished

Barrera lost seven times in his career, but this defeat was the only time he was ever stopped. It was an exceptional feat by Pacquiao, and it paid dividends outside of the ring, too.

He had already won world titles in two weight categories going into this bout, but this win took his persona to another level. Suddenly people all around the world wanted to watch him fight—he was a star in the making.

1. Miguel Cotto

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Quality of Opponent

Cotto was seen as one of the best welterweights in the world at the time Pacquiao fought him. With just one defeat (at the disgraced hands of Antonio Margarito), Cotto was bigger and stronger than Pacquiao.

The weight limit set for the fight was 145 pounds, which meant Cotto had to lose more weight than normal for a welterweight contest. Even so, Cotto was a good boxer with a nice jab and a mean body attack. As such, he was a real threat to Pacquiao.

Method of Victory

The first four rounds were pulsating as Cotto attacked Pacquiao, who spent more time than was expected on the ropes absorbing the Puerto Rican's waves of offense.

Pacquiao was clearly the faster man, though, landing a right that sent Cotto to the canvas in round three and a left uppercut that discombobulated Cotto in the fourth. From then on, Cotto was fighting a losing battle.

Pacquiao took the initiative, imposed himself upon Cotto and won the fight by stoppage in the 12th round.

Feat Accomplished

This fight was arguably Pacquiao at his absolute peak. Not only did he prove that he was able to take hard shots from a fully fledged welterweight, but he also put on a mesmerising attacking display.

Coincidentally, this was the last time Pacquiao beat an opponent inside the scheduled distance.