Crawford Vicious Against Brook, Wants Pacquiao; Arum Says Money Not a Problem

By Carlos Costa

In a fantastic display of power, Terence “Bud” Crawford (37-0, 28 KO’s) devastated Briton former champ Kell Brook (39-3, 27 KO’s) in 4 rounds to retain his WBO Welterweight World Title Saturday night at the Bubble of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Brook, 34, started acceptably good trading with Crawford in the middle of the ring, showing commitment and skills in the middle distance.
But once “Bud” landed one solid punch on Brook, he rocked the Briton hard, sending him hurt backwards against the ropes for the referee’s count. If the ropes were not there; the fighter from Sheffield would have gone down to the blue canvas hard.

After the count, Brook still appeared on unsteady legs as an unforgiving Crawford was again all over him unleashing crushing bombs, further damaging the British warrior with vicious lefts and rights till the bombardment was halted for good at the 1:14 minute mark in round four.

After the impressive win, Crawford, together with his Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, revealed their genuine 100% interest in fighting Filipino living legend Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s), possibly in the Middle East in the spring of next year, before or after the Holy Month of Ramadan (The Holy Month of Ramadan is between April 12 and May 11.

The Hall-of-Famer Arum assured that there has been total willingness, and even the required budget, for the staging of the Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao vs Terence “Bud” Crawford clash, a WBA/WBO welterweight unification super fight that would become and instant worldwide blockbuster event, likely the highlight battle for 2021.

Arum shared that the rumble between the Pacman and Bud, two of the very best 147-pounders, was originally intended for November of 2020, though in large part for reasons of the covid pandemic, it could not happen.

“The money (for the Pacquiao vs Crawford fight) was there. It (the money) has been committed,” Arum promised to the television audience.

“It was a fight that was going to take place in a country in the Middle East.
“And then, the Minister of Health in that country said you can’t do it because I can’t guarantee that would allow spectators; and it (the fight) would have been this week. So, he (the Minister in the Middle East) was right.

“Now they (the interested people from the Middle East) called us and they said: if Terence is successful, they want to resume the talks, and see if we can do it (Pacquiao vs Crawford) in Spring either before or after (The Holy Month) of Ramadan, said Bob Arum tonight live on ESPN.

In the meantime, there have also been media reports that the hugely popular fighting Senator born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, would battle UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 32, in a boxing match sometime next year. That possible stellar rumble has not been confirmed either, fans wondering who the Pacman, who turns 42 in one month, will fight next.

Nevertheless, the tonight the night belongs to Terence Crawford, 33, who reaffirms himself as one of the very best boxers in the Planet.

For former champions Timothy Bradley and Andre Ward, Crawford is indeed today’s # 1 pound for pound fighter above fantastic warriors as Tyson Fury and Errol Spence Jr., Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez.
Will Terence Crawford fight the Pacman next Spring in the Middle East as Arum 100% intends?

Or will King Pacquiao battle the less dangerous Connor McGregor?

Yes indeed, in the eyes of most fans, McGregor is less dangerous than Crawford. And I think so too.

Luckily, a possible combat of Pacquiao vs McGregor would be a boxing match. Because if the fight is in mix martial arts where kicks and wrestling are the normal, the Pacman would have absolutely no chance against “The Notorious.”

Should the beloved Manny Pacquiao fight Terence Crawford or Conor McGregor?

The author Carlos Costa lives in Cebu, and can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp +639184538152.