In boxing, the natural discussion after a big fight is always about what is next.
And while unified junior welterweight Terence ?Bud? Crawford may be considered as an opponent for Manny Pacquiao this fall ? if the recently retired Filipino superstar does return at all ? it is not in the works yet.
A Sunday story on Yahoo ? one not written by its boxing writer, who covered the Crawford-Viktor Postol fight in person Saturday in Las Vegas ? stated that Pacquiao has agreed to fight Crawford. It was based upon a prefight quote from promoter Bob Arum, reported on another website, that stated the Filipino superstar was ?willing to give Terence the opportunity? if Crawford was victorious over Postol.
Arum, who promotes both fighters, was asked directly after Saturday?s fight if Crawford?s impressive win opened the door to the possibility of a matchup with Pacquiao, who is now a senator in the Philippines.
?Press conferences are for the fighters, and the fighters will answer the questions,? Arum said. ?I?m no longer going to perform for you guys.?
Arum, a Hall of Fame promoter with 50 years in the sport, wouldn?t waste an opportunity to directly address the potential bout, with a roomful of national media at full attention, if it was truly in the works.
Major bouts take time to put together. If Pacquiao-Crawford materializes, it will be no different.
Arum did say during fight week in Vegas that the Crawford-Postol winner could certainly be considered. Welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, who was at Saturday?s fight, has been mentioned as a possibility.
Additionally, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who handles Pacquiao and Postol, said he hasn?t talked to Pacquiao in a while. He has stated, numerous times, he?d prefer a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
Crawford, meanwhile, shoved discussion of a Pacquiao fight aside after his Saturday win.
?If Bob Arum and them want that fight, and my coaches want that fight, that?s something we can talk about later,? he said. ?But right now, I just fought at 140, I?m happy and I?m about to go on vacation.
?We?re not worried about Manny Pacquiao right now.?
