Boxing's lost dream: Crawford vs. Pacquiao will never happen
A long-awaited clash between boxing legends could have taken place—but now it never will. Terence Crawford, who retired late last year, had spent years pushing for a fight with Manny Pacquiao. The American star felt he deserved the bout more than any other opponent. Crawford's interest in facing Pacquiao dates back to his welterweight days. He closely watched the Filipino's fights against Adrien Broner, Timothy Bradley, and Keith Thurman, believing those rivals were not on his level. Repeatedly, he called for a showdown, arguing he was the most worthy challenger.
Pacquiao's career, however, took a different path. After his 2015 mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather, he continued competing at the highest level. On July 29, 2025, he fought Oleksandr Usyk in a title bout that ended in a draw, with Usyk retaining his belt. Now, Pacquiao is preparing for a rematch with Mayweather on September 19. Crawford's retirement has closed the door on any chance of the two meeting in the ring. His repeated requests went unanswered, leaving the matchup as one of boxing's great what-ifs.
Pacquiao's focus now lies on his September rematch with Mayweather. Crawford, meanwhile, has stepped away from the sport for good. The fight he pursued for years will remain only a hypothetical discussion among fans.
