Former undisputed jr welterweight champ and current WBO Welterweight world titles Terence “Bud” Crawford has long accused legendary eight-division world champ Manny Pacquiao of ducking him and avoiding a mega-fight with him while the two were both under the Top Rank banner. When Pacquiao signed with Al Haymon and PBC the prospect of seeing the two future hall of farmers square off seemed to have vanished forever. However, Terence Crawford is more encouraged than ever about the possibility of finally getting his shot at the legendary Filipino.
Crawford confirmed rumors that the two parties were in contact on the “Ak and Barak” show that airs in the US on both SiriusXM Radio and on DAZN, The WBO titleholder went on to say “We’ve been in contact with Bob [Arum], and Manny and them, They want the fight. We want the fight. So basically, we’re trying to figure out the money situation. You know, with this pandemic going on right now, it’s kinda hard to put on a big fight and no audience, and not knowing how you’re gonna get your return back” This is great progress as Crawford has been seemingly stuck in neutral since winning the WBO strap back in June of 2018 having to fight less than the most elite level of 147-pounders in the interim. In 2019, Crawford had to settle for fights with Amir Khan and Egidijus Kavaliauskas. While, Pacquiao had a spectacular 2019, scoring impressive decision victories over Adrien Broner in January and taking Thurman’s WBA “Super” World Title six months later. According to Bob Arum, the fight could possibly land in the middle eastern island nation of Bahrain. A Pacquiao- Crawford unification fight would require a hefty site fee. To which the legendary promoter said, “Everybody wants to do these fights until the time comes up to put up the money but I think with Bahrain we have a good shot to get it done.”
Crawford struggled in spots especially early in his last fight against Egidijus Kavaliauskas back in December before scoring a ninth-round stoppage in what was largely a lackluster performance in which “Bud” didn’t look like himself. Off that performance, Crawford may have secured himself the mega-fight he has been craving for. Prior to the performance, no one seemed to chomping at the bit to get it in the ring with the 3-division champ, but both Spence, Pacquiao both seem eager to make a fight with Crawford now. Spence said he is confident that, that unification bout will get made in 2021, and Pacquiao seems to want the fight now. Perhaps the other 147-pounders saw a weakness in Bud that they think they can expose. Something has certainly changed and it appears that Bud is no longer being ducked.
