Terence Crawford claims Manny Pacquiao avoided potential fight

Retired undefeated world champion Terence "Bud" Crawford has claimed that he would have "1000%" knocked out boxing legend Manny Pacquiao had they fought. Speaking to "Above The Rim," Crawford alleged that negotiations for a matchup between the two welterweight champions occurred numerous times, but claimed Pacquiao's team avoided the bout.

Potential talks for a unification fight gained significant traction in 2020 when Crawford held the WBO welterweight title and Pacquiao held the WBA 147lb championship. Ultimately, the fight did not materialize, and Pacquiao instead moved toward a scheduled unification match against Errol Spence Jr., which resulted in a title loss to Yordenis Ugasa after Spence's withdrawal.

Throughout his 73-fight career, Pacquiao was known for his durability, having been stopped only three times: twice during his early flyweight years and once by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. Pacquiao has previously suggested that promoter Bob Arum may have been "preserving" him regarding potential fights with Crawford.