Manny Pacquiao On Crawford: “I Don’t Back Away From Any Challenge”

Manny Pacquiao Greatly Interested in a Fight with Terence Crawford

Manny Pacquiao (left), Terence Crawford with Bob Arum in the background
Manny Pacquiao (left), Terence Crawford with Bob Arum in the background

Manny Pacquiao Greatly Interested in a Fight with Terence Crawford


The last time we saw Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) was in July 2019. He faced and defeated Keith Thurman to win the WBA ‘Super’ World Welterweight title. Since then, you have heard very little from the Filipino legend. Now it seems that the fighter who is worldly known as “Pac Man” is on the verge of fighting again.

Because of his inactivity, Pacquiao was stripped of his title and named “champion in recess” by the WBA. However, on February 9, he announced that he is back in training camp.

Manny Pacquiao announces his return to training camp
Manny Pacquiao announces his return to training camp

Adding fuel to the speculation a return to the ring is imminent, he spoke with the Filipino Daily Tribune to discuss his future. He mentioned the possibility of fighting Mikey Garcia. However, who is the man at the top of his list? That would be current WBO World Welterweight champion Terence Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs).

“I like to fight somebody who has a title. We told Bob, I get $40 million and Crawford gets $10 million.”

Even at age 42, Pacquiao says he feels great physically. Far from the largest-sized welterweight in the world, he claims his current weight is 152 pounds.

RUMORED FOR YEARS

It is not the first time there has been talk of a fight between Pacquiao and Crawford. There have been flirtations of the bout for years now. Discussions first started back in 2015 when Crawford was ruling the roost at 140 pounds. Neither party sat down for serious negotiations. The situation is different now. A deal was close to being finalized for a Pacquiao-Crawford fight in 2020. Following Crawford’s fourth-round stoppage win over Kell Brook in November of that year, promoter Bob Arum told reporters that a deal was very close.

Unfortunately, things were put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Arum had hoped negotiations would resume in 2021. If the fight were to happen, to quote LeBron James, “about damn time”. In an ironic twist, the younger Crawford needs this kind of bout right now more than Pacquiao.

With time off to rest, the future Hall of Famer is chomping at the bit. He explained there is still plenty of fire in the belly.

“I will fight anybody. You know me, I don’t back away from any challenge. Bring ‘em on.”

By: Michael Wilson Jr.

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About Mike W.1943 Articles
Mike is the host of boxing podcast "Pound 4 Pound Boxing Report" and is a Senior Writer for 3kingsboxing.com.