Terence Crawford Claims Potential Knockout Victory in Unrealized Manny Pacquiao Bout
Undefeated boxer Terence Crawford asserts he would have stopped Manny Pacquiao had their proposed 2020 welterweight unification match materialized. While both fighters held titles at the time, negotiations failed, leading Pacquiao to his final professional bout against Yordenis Ugas.
Key takeaways
- Terence Crawford asserts he would have 100% knocked out Manny Pacquiao if they had fought in 2020.
- Pacquiao and Crawford were both welterweight champions simultaneously but failed to reach a promotional agreement.
- Manny Pacquiao's career is defined by titles in eight divisions and a significant cultural influence in the Philippines.
- Crawford alleges Pacquiao's team avoided him, while Pacquiao previously suggested promoter Bob Arum blocked the fight.
What Happened
Former welterweight champion Terence Crawford has publicly stated his belief that he would have secured a knockout victory over Manny Pacquiao if the two had met in the ring. Crawford claimed that his team attempted to arrange the fight on multiple occasions, but alleged that Pacquiao's camp avoided the matchup. Pacquiao previously suggested that the lack of a deal was due to promoter Bob Arum protecting Crawford from the risk of the bout.
Negotiations reached a serious stage in 2020 when Crawford held the WBO welterweight title and Pacquiao held the WBA equivalent. The fight never occurred; instead, Pacquiao was booked against Errol Spence Jr. before ultimately facing and losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
Background
Manny Pacquiao concluded a 73-fight career as the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. Despite his longevity, he was stopped only three times: twice early in his career at flyweight against Rustico Torrecampo and Boonsai Sangsurat, and once in 2012 against Juan Manuel Marquez. Crawford remains undefeated and argued that he would have joined that small list of fighters to stop the Filipino icon.
Why It Matters
In his home country, Pacquiao's matches functioned as significant cultural events. During his peak years, his televised bouts were credited with bringing the Philippines to a standstill, temporarily reducing crime rates and creating rare moments of nationwide synchronized attention. His career set a precedent for how individual athletic success could influence national identity, a role currently being compared to the rise of Filipino tennis player Alex Eala.
Key Facts
- Manny Pacquiao retired with a professional record of 72 fights and a Hall of Fame career across eight divisions.
- Terence Crawford claims the Pacquiao camp declined to finalize a unification fight in 2020.
- Pacquiao suffered only three knockout losses throughout his career, the most recent being in 2012.
- National broadcasts of Pacquiao's fights historically altered daily life in the Philippines, affecting traffic and business operations.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
Related stories
Don Nelson, Hall of Fame Coach and Five-Time NBA Champion Player, Dies at 86
Phillies Face Triple Injury Scare in 10-4 Extra-Inning Loss to Nationals
British Columbia Declares Emergency as Explosive Wildfires Force 20,000 to Evacuate
