In three weeks’ time, Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring to face a new title fight for the welterweight championship against Mario Barrios and will do so as the oldest challenger in history. Two months later, Canelo Alvarez will be able to consolidate his hegemony in the super middleweight category (168 pounds) when he does the same against Terence Crawford. Both fighters will be in Las Vegas, Nevada, but both Pacquiao and Canelo belong to different eras.
But they are united by the same desire for triumph. That is why they believe in supporting each other. In the face of overwhelming challenges, this is fundamental.
On different occasions, Pacquiao made clear his position on the Canelo-Crawford fight and has mentioned which side he leans on, who at the end of his training session was told that the Mexican admired him very much. The mention brought a smile to the face of the Filipino icon and he replied: “I think he’s going to win this fight”.
Manny Pacquiao’s show of support for Canelo Alvarez
One of the most respected opinions in the world of pugilism is that of Manny Pacquiao who, with his eight titles in different categories, allows him to be one of the most admired characters. Therefore, when the Filipino raised his right fist under the exclamation of: “Yes, Canelo!” it is because he sees potential to beat Crawford. After that brief moment of opinion before the fight on September 13, he ended with a resounding “Viva Mexico!”
However, opinion has been shaped by Terence Crawford’s difficulties in facing Canelo, as he will have to move up two weight classes, rather than by the skills and experience of the Mexican champion. “It’s not easy for Crawford. I mean, Canelo has a big advantage, but Crawford needs to control his physique, his speed and his power because he’s moving up in weight,” Pac-Man said.
Terence Crawford will be a different opponent for Canelo Alvarez
According to Manny Pacquiao’s analysis, Crawford is unlike any opponent Canelo has faced so far. In fact, Pacquiao himself revealed some bitter truths. At the time, three years after Canelo suffered his first loss, Pacquiao suffered the defeat at the hands of the same man: Floyd Mayweather. But Pacquiao feels that Crawford is much more skilled than the undefeated champion.
Highlighting the physical equality between Canelo and Crawford, he mentions that the Mexican lacks the necessary boxing skills. “When I talk about skill, they have to understand what I say. It takes skill to beat practically Terence Crawford and to fight Bivol, Plant, Triple G and others. He must have skill in his fists and in how he conducts himself in the ring. Will he have that skill? I think he will,” said the eight-time world champion.
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