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Mike Tyson names who was better between Mayweather and Pacquiao in their primes

Sheldan Keay

10th March, 2026

Mike Tyson names who was better between Mayweather and Pacquiao in their primes
Image credit: Getty

Mike Tyson has shared his verdict on who he ranks higher between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are regarded as two of the biggest boxing legends in recent history, with their success leading to a battle between the pair at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas back in May 2015.

It was Mayweather who came out on top on that occasion by unanimous decision, but now they will meet again for the second time over a decade later when they fight at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19.

With Mayweather now 49 and Pacquiao 47, both men are far past their best, and the debate has often raged on amongst boxing fans over which man was greater than the other during their prime years.

Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, while Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight-division world champion in history, claiming wins over fighters such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto.

Heavyweight icon Tyson once weighed in with his own view on who was better between the two, as he revealed that he felt Pacquiao had achieved more.

“Pacquiao is better than Floyd. He overcame adversity. Knocked cold and came back and had some sensational fights with opponents that supersede any of the opponents that Floyd fought.”

Before Mayweather faces Pacquiao in their rematch, he is actually set to take on Tyson himself, with an exhibition between the pair scheduled to take place soon, though it appears it won’t be on the April 25 date that was originally reported.

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