Terence Crawford has thrown a jab at Manny Pacquiao's boxing legacy. The current welterweight champion from Omaha, Nebraska, questions if Pacquiao deserves to be called one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Crawford, who's won world titles in four weight classes, shared his thoughts in a recent interview with Pound4Pound. He didn't pull any punches when talking about the Filipino legend.
"There is a reason why I don't put him [Manny] up there. Manny is a generational, talented fighter, he's accomplished what no other fighter will again, but I don't feel like he did it on his own, that's me personally. When Floyd [Mayweather] made it a point for him to do the blood test, he didn't want to do the blood test, but then when he did do the blood test, he hasn't got a knockout since."
Crawford's comments touch on a sensitive topic in boxing: the use of performance-enhancing drugs. He suggests that Pacquiao's remarkable achievements might not be entirely legitimate.
Pacquiao's career is nothing short of extraordinary. He's the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight classes. The Filipino fighter hung up his gloves in 2021 after a loss to Yordenis Ugas, capping off a career that spanned 72 fights.
At 37, Crawford seems to be in the final chapter of his own career. He's currently gearing up for a potential showdown with Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas this September, though the fight hasn't been officially announced yet.
Crawford's remarks have stirred up the ongoing debate about what makes a boxer truly great. While some fans might agree with his take, others will likely defend Pacquiao's legacy.
As for Pacquiao himself, the 46-year-old has been hinting at a possible return to the ring. Whether these comments will spark a response from the Filipino legend remains to be seen.
The boxing world will keep a close eye on how this story develops. Crawford's words have added fuel to the never-ending discussions about boxing's greatest fighters and the authenticity of their achievements.
