Crawford vs. Pacquiao Would Be Like Filipino Boxer's Past 'Big Fights,' Promoter Says

Top Rank boss and veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum predicted that Manny Pacquiao vs. Terence Crawford will be just like Pacquiao’s big fights in the past.

With the pandemic putting boxing events on hold, Arum is still positive that Pacquiao vs. Crawford will happen. In fact, he even believes it could generate the same amount of interest and money as Pacquiao’s blockbuster fights several years ago.

In an interview with The Manila Times on Thursday (June 18), Arum once again gave his thoughts about the talked-about Gennady Golovkin vs. Pacquiao middleweight bout. According to the 88-year-old, this idea is “ridiculous” as Golovkin is too big and wouldn’t be able to cut down any lower than 160 pounds.

“Golovkin[‘s weight] is ridiculous. It’s way, way too heavy. Golovkin can probably not make it [lower than] 160 [pounds], so Manny will be giving him 20 pounds. Golovkin is way too big for Manny,” Arum explained.

In the welterweight division, Pacquiao is heavily linked to a unification bout with Crawford, who is currently one of Arum’s top fighters. Instead of discussing more about Golovkin, Arum pointed out that Pacquiao vs. Crawford is more appropriate, noting that this bout could possibly take place later this year or next year in the Middle East, Australia or Macau. The Top Rank CEO was even convinced that Crawford is the only fighter who could bring back the intensity of the fights of a prime Pacquiao.

“It’s [going to be] a blockbuster, just like Manny’s big fights in the past,” Arum predicted.

“[But] right now, it is difficult to make arrangements for big fights because we don’t know when they will allow spectators. But again, once I clarify this up. I’ll go ahead and try to make that fight, finish it up, because I think it will be an interesting fight. After the pandemic, [that is],” he continued.

Crawford has been calling out Pacquiao for quite some time now. Except from Arum, many believe that a fight with “Bud” is a bit too risky for an aging “Pac-Man.” Speaking on “The Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer,” the WBO welterweight champ emphasized that he only has eyes on Pacquiao.

“My next fight should be Pacquiao,” said Crawford. “We’re in talks with Team Pacquiao and I’ve been hoping that fight can get made, but anything after that I really can’t say because I’m only looking forward to the next fight.”