There could very well be a huge tug of war game going on behind the scene, pitting Team Pacquiao?s inner circle against Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum. And the reason for this backstage battle could have a lot to do with Terence Crawford?s status as boxing?s next big thing.
Last Saturday night, the 28-year-old Omaha, Nebraska native demolished durable former Pacquiao sparring partner Dierry Jean in defense of his WBO junior welterweight title. It was an electrifying performance in front of rabid hometown fans made even more exciting by the fact that HBO and the boxing media were clearly positioning Crawford for a bout with Manny Pacquiao next time out.
If this upcoming April 9 fight is, indeed, Pacquiao?s last bout, as Arum himself has stated publicly, then the impetus will be on getting Crawford in the ring with Manny immediately in a ?passing of the torch? bout. Many informed boxing insiders feel that Crawford, who is just touching on his prime as a fighter, has both the talent and the style to defeat the Filipino icon decisively. And given Crawford?s aggression, there stands a good chance of a highlight reel knockout or stoppage victory that would help propel the younger fighter to that next level of boxing stardom.
If Pacquiao planned on sticking around for a bit, time could be taken to further groom Crawford as a future superstar while allowing Manny to collect another purse or two against far simpler opposition. But if April 9 is the end, you can be sure that Arum would like to exploit Manny?s star power on the way out the door by transferring a good portion of it to Crawford.
Meanwhile, Team Pacquiao cannot be too pleased with Crawford as a last opponent, especially coming off a major loss, a shoulder injury, and almost a year of inactivity. Even at 100%, Manny would have a tough time dealing with Crawford?s style, athleticism, and mental toughness. They?d obviously prefer a final opponent marketable enough to sell a PPV, but vulnerable enough to allow for a victorious ride into the sunset (and the Philippines Senate).
And now the battle will begin. Team Pacquiao will fight against Crawford for fear of how bad this pairing could be and Team Top Rank will fight FOR Crawford as a way to get the Pacquiao torch passed before their cash cow is done for good. Does Team Pacquiao fear the threat of Terence Crawford? Does Team Top Rank fear Pacquiao retiring and taking his star power, fully in tact, with him?
When Manny Pacquiao?s final fight is finally announced, we?ll see who emerged victorious in this backstage tug of war.
