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  • Manny Pacquiao names Terence Crawford as dream fight that didn’t happen

    Manny Pacquiao names Terence Crawford as dream fight that didn’t happen

    Manny Pacquiao remains as passionate about boxing as ever, and despite already cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats, the Filipino legend still finds himself reflecting on the fights that shaped his remarkable career—and one blockbuster matchup that never came to fruition.

     

    Widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history and unquestionably the Philippines’ most accomplished sporting icon, Pacquiao has built a legacy few fighters can rival. The former eight-division world champion has captured titles across an unprecedented eight weight divisions, headlined some of the biggest events in boxing history, and defeated a who’s who of elite champions during a professional career spanning nearly three decades.

     

    After initially retiring, Pacquiao made his long-awaited return to professional boxing in 2025 when he challenged then-World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The comeback generated worldwide attention, with fans eager to see whether the Filipino superstar could once again compete at the highest level despite being well into his 40s.

     

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    Pacquiao produced a spirited performance against the younger Barrios, displaying flashes of the speed, footwork, and relentless aggression that made him one of boxing’s most exciting fighters. However, after 12 closely contested rounds, the judges scored the bout a majority draw—a verdict that sparked debate among boxing fans and analysts.

     

    Speaking in a recent interview with Vibe, Pacquiao admitted he was still surprised by the official result and maintained that he believed he had done enough to earn the victory.

     

    “That was a good fight with Mario Barrios, and I am surprised by the result. It was a draw, supposedly. It happened that way, so charge the experience and move on. People know who won the fight, even him. I know he knows. I have to move on and look forward to the future,” Pacquiao said.

     

    Despite expressing disappointment over the decision, Pacquiao made it clear that he has accepted the outcome and remains focused on what lies ahead rather than dwelling on the past.

     

    Another fight that had captured the imagination of the boxing world was a long-awaited rematch with longtime rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. Their first encounter in 2015, billed as the “Battle of the Century,” became one of the richest and most-watched events in boxing history. Although the contest fell short of fans’ lofty expectations inside the ring, speculation about a rematch continued for years.

    A second meeting appeared to be gaining momentum before plans were put on hold indefinitely due to Mayweather’s legal issues, leaving another chapter in one of boxing’s biggest rivalries unresolved.

     

    With the Mayweather rematch now unlikely to materialize anytime soon, Pacquiao was asked whether there was another dream fight that ultimately escaped him during his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

     

    Without hesitation, the Filipino legend pointed to undefeated American superstar Terence Crawford.

     

    “I think the Crawford fight. Yeah, the Crawford fight. Because Bob Arum preserved him. I’m under Top Rank promotions, and he was under Top Rank promotions before, so I would have loved to fight him. But it never happened. Bob didn’t give it to me,” he added.

     

    A showdown between Pacquiao and Crawford had long been discussed during Crawford’s rise through the welterweight ranks. At the time, many viewed it as a fascinating clash between one of boxing’s most accomplished veterans and one of its emerging pound-for-pound stars. However, despite both fighters spending time under Top Rank Promotions, negotiations never progressed into an official bout.

     

    For Pacquiao, it remains one of the biggest “what ifs” of an extraordinary career that included victories over Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, Timothy Bradley, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

     

    Even as retirement continues to be a frequent topic surrounding his career, Pacquiao insists he still has no desire to walk away from the sport that has defined his life. More than championships or accolades, he says boxing continues to provide him with purpose, discipline, and happiness.

     

    At 47 years old, the Filipino icon continues to train regularly, maintaining the same dedication that carried him from humble beginnings in General Santos City to global superstardom.

     

    “Boxing is my passion, and that’s getting me to stay in shape, to stay physically fit. So when I’m doing that, I’m happy. When you discover boxing, how it is, and how you stay active, of course, it’s a favor and blessing from God. Strength, good health, that’s the most important thing,” Pacquiao concluded.

     

    While many athletes choose to step away once they have nothing left to prove, Pacquiao continues to be driven by his love for the sport. Whether another world title opportunity awaits or another marquee fight eventually materializes, the Filipino boxing legend has made one thing clear: as long as his passion remains, he has no plans of stepping away from the ring for good.

     

     

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  • “Crawford beats Mayweather in their prime”: Manny Pacquiao’s comments fuel new GOAT argument in boxing 

    “Crawford beats Mayweather in their prime”: Manny Pacquiao’s comments fuel new GOAT argument in boxing 

    Boxing fans across the globe are bracing for what is being billed as one of the most high-profile exhibition-style events in recent memory, with reports indicating that Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are set to meet once again in a rematch nearly a decade after their first iconic showdown.

     

    According to multiple announcements circulating on social media and attributed to Netflix, the two all-time greats will square off on September 19 in Las Vegas (September 20 in the Philippines), with the bout scheduled to take place at the technologically advanced Sphere venue. The streaming giant is expected to carry the event exclusively worldwide, marking yet another major push into live sports entertainment.

     

    Netflix confirmed the news in a post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the matchup as a historic occasion: the first professional boxing event to be staged at the Sphere, featuring two of the most recognizable names in the sport’s modern era. The announcement quickly sparked global debate and excitement, as fans revisited one of boxing’s most polarizing and commercially successful rivalries.

     

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    The upcoming fight revisits the long-standing narrative between Mayweather and Pacquiao, whose first meeting in 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas was promoted as the “Fight of the Century.” That bout, years in the making due to prolonged negotiations, ultimately saw Mayweather claim a unanimous decision victory to preserve his perfect record. The fight shattered pay-per-view records but also drew criticism from some fans who felt the action did not fully live up to its massive hype.

     

    Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing in 2017 with a pristine 50–0 record, remains one of the sport’s most accomplished defensive technicians. Over the course of his career, he captured 15 major world championships across five weight divisions, ranging from super featherweight to light middleweight. His résumé also includes an Olympic bronze medal from the 1996 Atlanta Games in the featherweight division, underscoring a decorated career that spanned more than two decades.

     

    Pacquiao, meanwhile, carved out his own legendary path as one of boxing’s most dynamic and versatile fighters. Known for his explosive southpaw style and relentless pace, the Filipino icon became the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. His career has been defined not only by championship success but also by his longevity and ability to compete at elite level across multiple eras of the sport.

    In the lead-up to the reported rematch, Pacquiao has already begun to stir conversation with his assessment of modern greats and past opponents. In a recent appearance on “Inside the Ring,” the 47-year-old veteran suggested that undefeated American star Terence Crawford would have posed significant stylistic problems for Mayweather had both fighters met in their primes.

     

    “I think Crawford beats Mayweather if they both fought in their prime. He has the advantage as a southpaw,” Pacquiao said. “I saw Crawford as a southpaw; he mastered it. He knows how to handle his advantage, to maximize his advantage, against an orthodox fighter.”

     

    The remarks add another layer of intrigue to the broader discussion surrounding generational greatness in boxing, particularly as fans continue to debate how fighters from different eras would match up stylistically.

     

    Crawford, who retired in 2025 with an unblemished 42–0 record, is widely regarded as one of the most complete fighters of his generation. His career included world titles in five weight classes, from lightweight to super middleweight, and he also achieved the rare distinction of becoming a three-division undisputed champion. Despite frequent comparisons to Mayweather from fans and pundits, Crawford has consistently expressed admiration rather than rivalry toward the former pound-for-pound king.

     

    “Man, listen. That’s the GOAT,” Crawford said of Mayweather in a previous interview. “Mayweather is one of the GOATs. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Mayweather. I would never compare myself to Mayweather. He’s the greatest of his era, and I’m the greatest of my era.”

     

    He has also pushed back against narratives that attempt to diminish Mayweather’s accomplishments or pit modern fighters against him in hypothetical matchups.

     

    “I don’t understand why, especially our people, hate on Mayweather so much. He made so much history for us. He paved the way for me to be where I’m at,” Crawford added. “I don’t know why a lot of people always try to tarnish his career or want me to be like, ‘I’ll knock Mayweather out’ or always try to compare us.”

     

    As anticipation builds, the reported Mayweather–Pacquiao rematch—regardless of its format—has already reignited discussions about legacy, longevity, and the enduring appeal of two of boxing’s most influential figures. Whether the event will recapture the global attention of their first meeting remains to be seen, but it has already succeeded in putting the sport’s biggest historical rivalry back in the spotlight.

     

     

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