Bob Arum: Pacquiao Is An Old Man, He Doesn’t Want To Fight Crawford!
Legendary boxing Promoter Bob Arum wants the world to leave another legendary figure in boxing Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39KOs) alone when it comes to a possible welterweight unification clash with WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford (36-0, 27KOs).
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Arum had the following to say:
“Pacquiao doesn’t want to fight, leave Pacquiao alone. He’s an old man, he doesn’t want to fight Crawford, he didn’t want to fight him when I was promoting him.
There’s no disgrace in Pacquiao not fighting Crawford. Pacquiao is not competitive, he’s a great fighter still, but he’s not competitive.”
Arum has always shown confidence in his fighters regardless of the opinions of naysayers, so him saying this doesn’t come as a surprise. We all know that Pacquiao isn’t the fighter he once was. However, ask former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman how good Pacquiao still is.
Back in July of 2019, Pacquiao turned back the clock to win the WBA welterweight title over Thurman. In that fight, he scored a knockdown and dominated the early portion of the fight before Thurman would come back strong in the second half the fight.
Crawford, a top pound 4 pound fighter, would no doubt be the favorite heading into a potential fight against Pacquiao. However, let’s not forget that the Nebraska native struggled tremendously against Egidijus Kavaliauskas (21-1-1, 17KOs) back in December 2019. Yes, Crawford got the stoppage victory, but he was also dropped in the fight, which was wrongfully ruled a slip.
Boxing fans would welcome this fight with open arms. Both guys possess power, speed, athleticism and top notch skills. I think this fight would be more competitive than most think. Let’s hope this fight materializes in 2020.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
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