Terence Crawford thinks Manny Pacquiao fight ‘can get made’

FILE -Carlos Adames celebrates after his TKO in the fourth round against Frank Galarza during their junior middleweight fight at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2019 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Terence Crawford, the undefeated WBO welterweight champion, is confident that a fight against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao would happen.

Crawford said talks have already begun between the two camps and Top Rank chief Bob Arum for a possible showdown.

There’s also mutual interest in making the fight happen. But as far as the money is concerned, that’s another topic to be discussed especially with the ongoing pandemic.

“We’ve been in contact with Bob [Arum], and Manny and them,” said Crawford on “The Ak And Barak Show,” which streams daily on DAZN and SiriusXM, in a story on boxingscene.com. “They want the fight. We want the fight. So basically, we’re trying to figure out the money situation.

“You know, with this pandemic going on right now, it’s kinda hard to put on a big fight and no audience, and not knowing how you’re gonna get your return back. So, you know, we’ve gotta figure out all the details with that first before we can do that.”

Boxing events have been suspended since March, though Top Rank has already scheduled a series of fights to mark the sport’s return beginning June 9 at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Those bouts—like every other sporting event held since the pandemic—will be staged without crowds.
“He (Pacquiao) can’t even fight right now, you know, so it’s not just me. If that fight presents itself, it’s gonna be more money than I ever made in my career to date, probably,” Crawford said.

“You know, so I think that fight can get made, worked out however it will be. You know, but at the same time, you know, he’s dealing with the same issues that I’m dealing with. Every top fighter is dealing with the same issue. You know, it’s not like I’m the only one dealing with this.”

The 32-year-old Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs), a three-division champion, last fought in December when he stopped Egidijus Kavaliauskas of Lithuania in the ninth round. Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) hasn’t been in the ring since he won the WBA (Super) welterweight title at the expense of former unbeaten champion Keith Thurman in July.