Manny Pacquiao vs. Terence Crawford In Talks To Take Place On June 5

Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford are in discussions to fight June 5 in Abu Dhabi.

According to Mike Coppinger of The Athletic, “Top Rank has informed its network partner, ESPN, and pay-per-view distributor In Demand to hold June 5 for the potential fight, which is “contingent” on it taking place in Abu Dhabi. It also makes sense due to the fact Bob Arum said he’d be announcing a major pay-per-view fight for Crawford this week and Pacquiao is just that if a deal can be made.

Earlier this month, however, Pacquiao said he was leaning Mikey Garcia next after his Ryan Garcia fight fell through. Yet, it appears he is now set to fight Crawford.

“We’re leaning towards Mikey Garcia, but we’re also talking to Crawford,” Pacquiao told Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN. “It depends on who I get to face, what’s important is I’m ready. 

Pacquiao also says he wants $40 million for the fight while Crawford would only get $10 million.

“I like to fight somebody who has a title. We told Bob I get $40 million and Crawford gets $10 million, Pacquiao said to the Filipino Daily Tribune. “I will fight anybody. You know me, I don’t back away from any challenge. Bring ‘em on!”

Manny Pacquiao, is coming off a split decision win over Keith Thurman in July of 2019 to win the WBA (Super) welterweight title. It was his third straight win, but he hasn’t been in the talks of his next boxing fight. He was linked to Conor McGregor, but after he was upset by Dustin Poirier, Pacquiao and his team have appeared to move on to Garcia.

Terence Crawford, meanwhile, is 37-0 and coming off a TKO win over Brook back in November. He’s the current WBO welterweight champion and holds wins over Amir Khan, Jose Benavidez Jr., and Jeff Horn.

Who do you think will win, Manny Pacquiao or Terence Crawford?