Oscar De La Hoya thinks Manny Pacquiao would have knocked out Terence Crawford if they fought in their prime. The former boxer and current promoter shared his opinion in a recent interview.
De La Hoya knows both fighters well. He fought and lost to Pacquiao in the ring and has watched Crawford's career closely. His prediction carries weight due to his experience in the sport.
Pacquiao's achievements in boxing are impressive. He won world titles in eight different weight divisions, from flyweight all the way up to super-welterweight. The Filipino icon beat some of the best in the sport, including Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Tim Bradley, and De La Hoya himself.
Crawford's career is also stellar. He's won world titles in four weight classes and became undisputed champion at both 140 and 147 pounds. His recent win over Errol Spence Jr. cemented his place as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters today.
In an interview with Mail Sport, De La Hoya didn't mince words about the hypothetical matchup. He said, "At their prime, Pacquiao knockout."
While this dream fight will never happen, both fighters are still making news. Pacquiao, now 46, is planning a comeback after four years away from the ring. He'll face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
Crawford, on the other hand, is taking on his biggest challenge yet. He's moving up two weight classes to face Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super-middleweight championship in September.
De La Hoya also shared his thoughts on Pacquiao's upcoming fight with Barrios, but his prediction for that bout wasn't revealed.
It's worth noting that Pacquiao was part of the highest-grossing boxing match in history. He faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2015, a fight that had been years in the making.
Pacquiao's return against Barrios has generated a lot of interest in the boxing world. Fans are eager to see if the Filipino legend can recapture his old form after such a long layoff.
While De La Hoya's opinion on a Pacquiao-Crawford fight is interesting, it's important to remember that boxing is unpredictable. That's why fans love the sport – anything can happen when two skilled fighters step into the ring.
