KEY POINTS

  • Manny Pacquiao targets Terence Crawford as his next opponent
  • Pacquiao wants $40 million to face Crawford
  • Pacquiao is also interested in facing Mikey Garcia and Errol Spence Jr.

Manny Pacquiao has been out of the boxing ring since July 2019 and is aching to fight again.

Though the names of Ryan Garcia and, for a time, Conor McGregor were being mentioned, it remains that boxing fans want the 43-year-old pug to face a legitimate boxer and an official bout.

Based on a report from a local Philippine outlet, it appears Manny Pacquiao is targeting someone that boxing fans have long wanted him to face–Terence Crawford.

The boxer-senator is looking for someone with a world boxing title while at the same time reward him with a big payday.

“Bud” undoubtedly fits that bill although questions are up in the air on the financial terms of the fight.

The Tribune reported that Pacquiao has already had talks with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum. The sport's eight-division champion is reportedly seeking $40 million to face a 33-year-old WBO welterweight champion.

“We told Bob I get $40 million and Crawford gets $10 million,” Pacquiao said. “I will fight anybody. You know me, I don’t back away from any challenge. Bring ‘em on!”

But Pacquiao is not limiting his choice of opponents. Also on his radar is WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., as well as four-division titleholder Mikey Garcia.

It is no secret that the Filipino boxing icon wants to fight in 2021 although his trajectory has changed. The crossover fight with McGregor is off the table after the UFC star lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

“King Ry” emerged as the one to take the place of “The Notorious,” but updates on that exhibition fight have gone silent.

Something could still come up, but Pacquiao supporters would undoubtedly prefer an official boxing match over an exhibition.

Terence Crawford
Terence Crawford is ready to dominate the welterweight division. Pictured: WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford (C) poses with members of his team after his unanimous decision victory over WBC champion Viktor Postol of Ukraine at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 23, 2016. Steve Marcus/Getty Images

Right now, Pacquiao revealed that he is at 152 pounds, just five pounds away from the welterweight limit of 147.

All three targets he mentioned are likely to be interested in clashing with the Filipino boxer, all simply waiting for a call.

As far as Crawford, it will be interesting if “Bud” and his camp would accept the purse split. Negotiations are likely to continue with Arum expected to want something more than that $10 million that the WBO champion would be getting.

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