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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 20: Manny Pacquiao celebrates his split-decision victory over Keith Thurman in their WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 20: Manny Pacquiao celebrates his split-decision victory over Keith Thurman in their WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
We could finally witness the legend, Manny Pacquiao, back inside the boxing ring after his emphatic win over Keith Thurman in July last year where he became the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history. Top Rank’s promoter Bob Arum has revealed that they are looking at a potential Terence Crawford vs Manny Pacquiao fight in spring next year.
Bob Arum has said they previously had a deal in place for Terence Crawford vs Manny Pacquiao to happen in Qatar this month, only for it to be scuppered by the pandemic. He revealed that they are now trying to resurrect this for spring 2021, depending on the situation. [@IFLTV]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 16, 2020
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Manny Pacquiao currently reigns as the WBO (super) welterweight champion. Arguably the greatest of all time, the eight-division champion will look to dethrone Terence Crawford as the WBO welterweight champion.
At 41, PacMan is still a threat to the best that the boxing division has to offer. He proved it against Thurman back in July, when he became the first boxer to hand a loss to the then-undefeated American boxer.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 20: Manny Pacquiao celebrates his split-decision victory over Keith Thurman in their WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
According to Bob Arum, Crawford and Pacquiao were scheduled to face each other this month in Qatar. Pacquiao has always been one of the most profitable boxing stars in the sport’s history.
Top Rank will look to capitalize on the popularity of both the boxers in a PPV event that can generate high revenue. With the whole world coming to normalcy slowly and steadily, spring 2021 looks to be the perfect time for the epic-showdown.
Can Terence Crawford get past Manny Pacquiao?
It will be easier said than done for pound-for-pound best, Terence Crawford, to get past Pacquiao. The WBO welterweight champion has maintained that he is not scared to fight anybody.
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Needless to say, a match-up against Manny Pacquiao promises to be of epic proportion. Additionally, it will put Crawford on the top of the pound-for-pound list for a very long time.
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 09: Terence Crawford celebrates his victory after a TKO in the 9th round in the WBO welterweight title between Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“Bud” is coming off a scintillating TKO win over seasoned Kell Brook in his fourth successful title defense. Crawford’s knockout power was once again on display.
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He cruised past Brook after a slow start to secure a fourth-round stoppage win over the former champion. However, Pacquiao had faced knockout artist as recent as Thurman in his last fight.
It will be interesting to see if Crawford can adjust to Pacquiao’s quick combinations and solid footwork. However, age will play a crucial role in the outcome of the fight. Needless to say, it promises to be an exciting affair between two of the best to ever step inside the boxing ring.
