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Arum really wants a Crawford-Pacquiao duel. Both sides are negotiating a fight in the East PhilBoxing.com Thu, 14 May 2020  NEW YORK - Boxing fans really have something to look forward to in the fall, at least according to speculation. Behind the scenes, it is said to be a duel between the champions of the welterweight, Terence Crawford (36-0, 27 KO) and Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO). It was so easy three years ago. Both opponents were under contract at Top Rank Boxing, so Bob Arum could just snap his finger and the match would be a reality. Especially when Crawford longed for him and Pacquiao probably wouldn't resist him either. But the promoter veteran had other intentions. He officially claimed to have protected the Filipino legend, but the truth was elsewhere. Arum needed a hero for the eastern market. "Pacman" was a perfect option, but he was not expected to lose to his opponents with his hometown Jeff Horn. With the same Horn, which was then definitely cracked by Crawford. He simply wasn't attractive enough to clash with Pacquiao on American soil, and Arum somehow knew it was the last year of their collaboration. Whether in the summer of 2017 he wanted to sink his favorite (a controversial loss) or force him to retire and protect his health, only he knows. However, the truth is that he was wrong (and not only him) with the Philippine senator - as he has done several times. Pacquiao returned a year later as a free agent in Kuala Lumpur, where he invited Argentine Lucas Martin Matthysse. He then represented the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), both sides tested a bit. Result? Pacquiao excelled, running the regular WBA champion in the sweater like a steamroller. This was followed - under the banner of PBC - by a victory over the eternal child and brat Adrien Broner, to confirm another of his magnificent comebacks by a year and a day last December by winning over the hitherto undefeated Keith Thurman. Yes, we can question his and Matthysse's health, as well as his skill and desire to give his all in the case of Broner, but it's still true that the "Problem" really knows how to box. Pacquiao defeated Thurman and Matthysse. It is never advisable to underestimate this. That's probably why Arum turned around this year. Especially when he runs out of rivals for Crawford in the sweater. Quite simply, this division clearly belongs to PBC. If the "Hunter" wants to be the king, if he wants a legacy, he must defeat someone from the top - Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Danny or Mikey Garcia. Or a legend named Manny Pacquiao. "When oil paid $50 a barrel, the Middle East looked perfect. Now it's harder, I don't know if we'll agree, but they like boxing, they want to attract tourists, the sport is ideal. And we will not be able to box in the states for some time now," Arum, 80, began his talk on the subject and confirmed at the outset that business is his number one priority. Of course. 
Arum and Pacquiao in Macau. "Yes, we were already sitting together, before the current coronavirus crisis began, so we solved this struggle and headed to this summer or autumn. It's a little more complicated now, but I still think we can do it if we do it either in Arabia or in Macau. One thing is for sure, we solve it and they both want the match," added the experienced promoter bard. Given the fact that sporting events are slowly taking place, even without spectators, Arum's vision is not entirely unrealistic, although it is clear that he needs a full audience for a similar duel, that such a one will not take place behind closed doors. At the same time, it is true that boxing outside the US could help both. It's no secret that Pacquiao still trains most of the year at home in Manila, where he has a de facto gym opposite the Senate building, Crawford could definitely only gain by fighting a legend in Asia (in terms of fans and money). In addition, they both need a duel like salt - the American boxed for the last time in December and had previously complained about a small workload.  |
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