Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s much anticipated return may finally get a confirmation soon as latest reports suggest that the Filipino boxing icon is slated to face off WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford on 5th June, with Abu Dhabi targeted as the probable venue.
The report was first claimed by Mike Coppinger of the Athletic, who revealed that Top Rank has been seeking a June clash between Pacquiao (67-7-2, 39 KOs) and Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) and has reached out to ESPN and PPV distributor regarding the same.
“Discussions have taken place for a very long time,” the development was quoted by ESPN. “and while the fight is not yet close to being finalized, if it does take place, Abu Dhabi is the targeted location, and June 5 is the targeted date.”
Pacquiao vs Crawford talks were already gaining pace, with the former already having a fight purse set in mind
While the reports have just come out, the prolonged discussion part about the bout indeed holds some ground, as earlier Pacquiao himself revealed that it was either Crawford or four-division champion Mikey Garcia.
“We’re leaning towards Mikey Garcia, but we’re also talking to Crawford,” Pacquiao told Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN back in early March, “it depends on who I get to face, what’s important is I’m ready.”
Moreover, the 43-year-old even stated last month that he was seeking $40 Million out of a Crawford fight and “Bud” would be getting $10 million and expressed the same to the latter’s promoter and the CEO of Top Rank Bob Arum.
Pacquiao has been out of action since 2019 July when he defeated Keith Thurman and clinched the WBA (Super) welterweight belt at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada. However, due to inactivity, WBA stripped Pacquiao off of his title, while designating him as the “champion in recess.”
A June fight would mean Pacquiao will be returning to boxing after almost two years, compared to Crawford who was last seen in action in November last year, defending his WBO belt for the fourth straight time against Kell Brook in Las Vegas.
Interestingly, around 75% of all of Crawford’s professional victories have been through a knockout and he has consecutively won all eight of his last fights via the same manner.
On the other hand, Pacquiao has been knocked out only three time in his 26 years of as a pugilist, first in 1996, then in 1999 and his third stoppage defeat was against Juan Manuel Márquez in 2012.
Nonetheless, Crawford is undoubtedly the toughest opponent Pacquiao will face since the record-breaking matchup against Floyd Mayweather back in May 2015 when he lost the same WBO belt.
