Jose Ramirez: Mikey Garcia punches harder than Manny Pacquiao

Jose Ramriez has sparred with both Manny Pacquiao and Mikey Garcia and says Garcia “has a little heavier hand.”

Jose Ramirez has sparred with both Manny Pacquiao and Mikey Garcia, which means he should have a good sense for what each of them brings into the ring.

Who is a bigger puncher? Ramirez told EsNews that it’s Garcia.

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) reportedly is considering Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) for his next opponent.

“They hit the same, but I think Mikey [Garcia] has probably a little heavier hand,” Ramirez said. “Pacquiao just puts it together really well, he puts three or four punches. It doesn’t take a lot of power to land a clean shot and for someone to feel it. As long as the shots are pointed properly it could hurt anybody.”

Pacquiao and Garcia are both small welterweights. Still, the Filipino icon had enough power to put down a big 147-pounder, Keith Thurman, in July of last year. And Garcia was able to do the same against Jessie Vargas in February.

At the same time, Pacquiao has exactly one knockout in the past 10-plus years. Garcia hasn’t stopped anyone above 135 pounds, a span of five fights.

“Mikey is not the biggest 147 pounder out there,” Ramirez said. “… Pacquiao is not the biggest 147 pounder, so I think it would be a fight that would make sense for both of them.”

Ramirez, a highly regarded140-pound titleholder, also is a potential opponent for the top 147-pounders. That includes Terence Crawford, who shares a promoter (Top Rank) with Ramirez.