Would Crawford stay with Pacquiao?
TERENCE Crawford, as reported by former LA Times sports editor Bill Dwyre, drew a $1.7 million windfall from his lopsided win over Viktor Postol of Ukraine to unify the WBO and WBC light welterweight crowns in Las Vegas.
They ask now: How much would Bob Arum pay Crawford to fight Manny Pacquiao?
Article continues after this advertisementArum, with a very satisfied wide grin, brushed aside questions on the almost-sure Pacquiao-Crawford showdown, claiming the night was for celebrating Crawford’s formal entry into the elite boxing circle.
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You see, there had been suggestions for Pacquiao not to miss the Crawford-Postol bout, as it had promised to be a boxing war.
Article continues after this advertisementDid Pacquiao see what he had been told and expected?
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, who handled Postol against Crawford, regretted the result of the world title unification fight at MGM Grand Las Vegas. Crawford proved too quick and elusive.
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“That’s boxing, that’s how you box—with movement,” Crawford lectured after scoring his 29th career win in his seventh successful championship outing.
Fine but, truth to tell, Crawford’s frantic escape act clearly deprived the main event of the epic element of courageous combat.
Cried Postol: “I did my best to make it an exciting fight. I think the other side didn’t really want to do that.”
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Regarding Roach, he may feel Postol could’ve been less stiff and mechanical if possible; at the same time though, Roach had obviously overlooked how be and Postol had combined to unwittingly expose Crawford’s doubtful ring valor.
Crawford had been excessively careful about engaging toe-to-toe; which could be right he being shorter with inferior wing span.
But experts and plain fans were quick to note that, unlike with Floyd Mayweather Jr. who has elevated on-fight evasiveness into an art, Crawford was both flat, if not truly hysterical, in avoiding frontal combat.
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“It was all about dancing,” cried respected Mandaluyong civic leader Nandy Charvet, a keen student of boxing who all but fell asleep in the second half of the Crawford-Postol tussle.
Yes, it was very successful for the winner and now undisputed world light welterweight champion, the pride of Omaha, Nebraska.
Now comes the big question: Would Crawford agree to gamble and trade it hard with Pacquiao, who’s indeed speedier and a lot more powerful than Postol?
It could all boil down to a question heart?