Terence Crawford Star is one of the greatest names in boxing history, and his recent words regarding an unconfirmed matchup have sparked a discussion that is one of the most intriguing ‘what ifs' in boxing history. Crawford, who walked away from the ring with 100% wins, has alleged that he was continually denied a bout with Manny Pacquiao by the Filipino promoter and his entourage, and that he would have defeated the Filipino legend "1000%." This is a reminder for those who have been paying close attention to the sport for fight fans and have been following the odds on websites like Sports OKBet.
In this article, we explain in literal terms what Crawford said, the background of the stalled negotiations, the importance of the "avoidance" charge in Pacquiao's career and its implications on the two legacies.
Terence Crawford didn't hold back when discussing the "Above The Rim" podcast. He said he was the only one that he wanted to have the chance to fight Pacquiao, and doubled down with a bold prediction that he would have "1000% knocked him out.
Crawford went further, making it look like the fight would occur again several times, but Pacquiao's stance prevented it each time.
"Numerous times, we were lined up to fight each other. They didn't want it."
It was not an idle remark, but an outright accusation, and a statement that resonates with the frustration felt by a fighter who never faced one of boxing's most decorated champions.
The talks between Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford started to take shape in 2020. At the time:
This was an unification bout that was a dream for boxing fans to see on paper. However, this never happened. Instead, Pacquiao began to look at a unification fight with Errol Spence Jr. In August 2021, when Spence pulled out due to injury, Pacquiao was called up to replace him, facing Yordenis Ugas, and losing the WBA title along the way.
Bob Arum, the longtime Pacquiao promoter, was the last to stir up the pot when he brazenly confessed in March 2020 that he “killed the fight” between Crawford and Pacquiao. Arum reportedly said he didn't think Pacquiao would have a chance to go up against Crawford and urged against the fight, saying there was no way the fight could have been held anywhere other than the US or Philippines without the massive site fee.
Pacquiao has spoken about that as well, where it often seemed as though Arum was "preserving" him instead of getting him the best matches.
Crawford's remarks come at a time when Pacquiao has come under scrutiny on a number of fronts for avoiding a dangerous opponent. The most notable is the fact that he was forced to wait for years to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015.
Following the two finally met, when Mayweather won by decision, he reiterated his position saying, "Fought him at the right time, it spoke for itself.
Mayweather subsequently went even further in asserting his superiority over Pacquiao, claiming that he could outbox him in 10, 20 or even 100 fights and that Pacquiao would "never be on my level.
It's a history that reveals accusations of strategic avoidance have a long history in boxing and are deeply entrenched in the sporting culture, particularly in the case of Pacquiao. Crawford's latest comments are a bit of the same old story: a great warrior who was left wondering what might have been.
Crawford retired with a perfect 42-0 record, scoring 31 knockouts en route. Key highlights include:
Pacquiao career, which concluded in 2021, tells a different but equally remarkable story:
Boxing enthusiasts have been speculating on what a prime vs. prime battle would've been like:
This is the kind of speculation that fuels the divide in the combat sports betting community, even after fighters retire, including those watching the fights on Sports OKBet.
Crawford is still a strong presence in the game today, even as a retiree. His latest "knockoff" was Shakur Stevenson vs. Ryan Garcia, where he stepped up and said he believed he could see things happening in the big time that he wouldn't at other times.
He's always ready to talk about what he missed, such as the Pacquiao fight, which is why he remains a part of boxing discussion — and a fodder for fans to contemplate “what if” scenarios that went unclosed in the ring.
It's the tale of Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford, and their history is defined as much by the battles they did not fight as by the ones they did. Crawford's bold statements bring a whole new chapter in a fight that was largely purely theoretical - but one that has kept boxing fans worldwide entertained.
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No. Although they talked seriously in 2020 while they were all holding welterweight belts, the bout did not occur. Promoter Bob Arum later went on to say that he "killed" the potential bout.
Bob Arum had previously thought that Pacquiao would not do well against Crawford, and he urged against the bout. There were also financial considerations, such as the size of the site fee.
Crawford said he would have “1000%” knocked out Pacquiao and that his team kept the fight away from him, saying he was the only fighter he'd wanted to have but was never offered the opportunity.
Crawford would retire in 2025 with a 42-0 record, 31 knockouts and three undisputed championships in three weight classes.
Pacquiao retired with 62 wins, 8 defeats and 2 draws in 2021 and is now the only world boxing champion in all 8 divisions.
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