This is a must-see war for Pacquiao
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Jul 2016
World boxing great Manny Pacquiao, officially retired, may be busy following the progress of President Duterte?s furious all-out war against the rampant drug menace in the country. But there?s another war, scheduled in Las Vegas, Nevada, today, which Pacquiao can?t?shouldn?t?miss.
American Terence Crawford (28-0, 20 KOs) and Ukrainian Viktor Postol (28-0, 12 KOs) clash in a world junior welterweight championship unification at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, a big fight which should draw unwavering live attention from Pacquiao.
You see, it?s a known fact that promoter Bob Arum has unretired Pacquiao even before the freshly minted Filipino senator could succeed in getting a sanction (to fight) from the Senate President. In fact, Arum has already reserved a Nov. 5 fight for Pacquiao in Las Vegas against a still unknown opponent.
The prefight noise for today?s world title unification fight however continued to point hard at Crawford as the strongest candidate for Pacquiao?s next foe.
?A win by Crawford makes him one of the frontrunners to fight Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Nov. 5,? wrote Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times. Pugmire failed to mention a close second choice for a Pacquiao foe.
Of course, it can?t be denied Pacquiao already knows of Crawford, the fastest-rising American boxing star today. In fact, Pacquiao had to duck Crawford, in favor of Timothy Bradley, in what had been loudly advertised as the Pacman?s career-closing final fight.
For the record, Crawford, Arum?s first choice as opponent in Pacquiao?s last bout, was singled out by trainer Freddie Roach as ?very talented, strong and dangerous? before that lengthy selection process [for a Pacquiao foe] could build up.
Bradley himself had nominated Crawford, his close friend, for that Pacquiao fight.
In the end, Team Pacquiao ended up with a third encounter against Bradley after Crawford loomed quite hazardous to Pacquiao?s health.
As could be expected, Crawford is a big favorite in today?s WBO-WBC junior welterweight unification fight.
***
Roach, who?s handling Postol, has however issued a warning to Crawford handlers and fanatics not to undermine the quiet, calculating and hard-working Postol.
?Crawford has a lot of talent but Postol has beaten tougher and better opponents,? Roach said. ?Crawford will find that Postol would be a lot different than Hank Lundy and Darry Jean.?
Roach continued to trumpet about the sensational stoppage by Postol of the heavily favored Lucas Matthysse last year.
***
Roach also prides in the fact that ?Postol and Pacquiao were even with each other? when they sparred in General Santos City in 2014.
Postol sparred and helped Pacquiao prepare against the American kick-boxing champ Chris Algieri.
That bout, hugely over-hyped, turned into a dismal mismatch in Macau.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVII AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL
Sat, 01 Nov 20253 Filipinos Reach Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Last 16, Biado Out
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 01 Nov 2025Joshua Buatsi vs Zack Parker Headlines Manchester Show on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 01 Nov 2025NBA Referees will wear headsets during NBA games
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 01 Nov 2025PERO, THOMPSON READY FOR ORLANDO SHOWDOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 01 Nov 2025South Cotabato overall champ in Batang Pinoy boxing meet
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 01 Nov 2025Bernardino to play in Malaysia and France chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 01 Nov 2025Make way for the Philippines' oldest active chess player
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 01 Nov 2025Canada High: Mikaela Mayer Wins Unified Super Welterweight Crown
Fri, 31 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Great Virtues of Champions
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 31 Oct 2025‘HAPPY’ HEAVYWEIGHT THOMPSON READY FOR PERO WAR
Fri, 31 Oct 2025Lakers Sale Approved: Mark Walter Takes Majority Stake, Ending Buss Family Era
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 31 Oct 2025SBA Season 2 Kicks Off November 10
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 31 Oct 2025History made twice over
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 31 Oct 2025ORLANDO PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND VIDEO: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID BETWEEN LENIER PERO, JORDAN THOMPSON AND UNDERCARD
Fri, 31 Oct 2025