Let’s all ask Sen. Pacquiao first

(HISTORIC SHOT: Congratulations to the multi-awarded photographer Raffy Lerma of the Inquirer, who scored what could be equal to a world championship knockout punch with his front-page picture of a weeping woman hugging her lifeless partner, an alleged drug pusher shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Pasay last Saturday. It’s an authentic frame for the ages—aptly described as a modern-day Pieta—shining in its genius, integrity, dramatic sharpness and gripping contrast. Mabuhay!)

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PROMOTER Bob Arum caught everybody by surprise when he refused to make a pronouncement after Terence Crawford’s first pay-per-view outing which, records would show, did not sell too well. Arum has vowed to keep mum indefinitely.

Arum stone-walling has caused widespread unease, mainly among boxing people who felt a Crawford bout with Manny Pacquiao could be a sellout.

Was there doubt on Crawford’s ability to sell the proposed big bout?

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A random check three days after Crawford overwhelmed and beat Viktor Postol bared there were as many fight followers who felt the unbeaten and undisputed world light welterweight champion (29-0, 20 KOs) from Omaha would be too good, strong and speedy for Pacquiao; as there were who believed Pacquiao would be too experienced and powerful for Crawford.

The division (of the boxing house) can only be expected to grow, a development which Arum, no doubt, would love to push. The greater the conflict, the hotter the chance of selling the fight big.

For the record, there were also contrasting opinions on how the Crawford-Postol had developed and ended.

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OK, it was projected as a war, and was predictably well-anticipated.

Out in the USA, fight pundits, including noted experts, were all praises for Crawford whom they have instantly elevated to superstardom.

Out in our city wet market sports hub though, objective keen-eyed fans cried that the supposed ring war at the MGM Grand Las Vegas over the weekend freely deteriorated into a wild- goose chase, no thanks to Crawford’s distasteful defense, characterized by shameless scampering.

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A visibly affected Crawford, who had been accused of shallow evasiveness, readily stood up to lecture, “That’s boxing, that’s how you fight, with movement.”

Just fine, but many times in the the colorless fight, Crawford was often observed to be running frantically, with hardly a display of the magnificent slide-away evasion he had tried to lay claim on.

Weren’t there moments when shaky nerves also got the better of him?

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Meanwhile, trainer Freddie Roach, who handled Postol against Crawford, said he was no longer in favor of Pacquiao fighting Crawford immediately.

Roach was suddenly claiming Pacquiao would do well to do one more bout before he could try Crawford.

Well, the fight world is waiting. However, while practically everybody has spoken on what should come up next, wouldn’t it be right if Bob Arum broke his silence and ask Pacquiao what he thought of Crawford for a next opponent?

It’s about time we hear it from the eight-division world title winner himself.