MANILA, Philippines - Maliban sa retirado nang si Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ay binanggit din ni Filipino world eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao ang pangalan ni Terence Crawford para sa posible niyang susunod na laban sa 2017.
Kaya pipilitin ni Crawford na makapagtala ng impresibong panalo sa kanyang pagsagupa kay John Molina sa Disyembre 10 sa CenturyLink Center sa Omaha, Nebraska.
Sakaling manalo si Crawford (29-0-0, 20 KOs) kontra kay Molina (29-6-0, 23 KOs) ay posibleng itakda ni Bob Arum ng Top Rank Promotions ang pagharap ng 29-anyos na unified light welterweight titlist kay Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KOs).
“This is another great opportunity for Terence to showcase his pound-for-pound ability,” sabi ni Cameron Dunkin, ang co-manager ng 29-anyos na si Crawford. “John Molina is a very tough contender. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Terence to get back into the ring to make another great statement.”
Muling napasakamay ng 37-anyos na si Pacquiao ang World Boxing Organization welterweight belt matapos dominahin si Jessie Vargas (27-2-0, 10 KOs) noong nakaraang Linggo sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sinabi ni Pacquiao na handa siyang bumaba sa light welterweight division para hamunin si Crawford.
“I can’t wait for Dec. 10 because Molina is really a good puncher and I will be going in there to fight as well,” sabi ni Crawford, ang WBO at WBC light welterweight king na nauna nang ikinunsidera ni Arum para labanan si Pacquiao bago piliin ng huli si Vargas.
“John Molina will provide a great test for Terence but I think it’s a test Terence will pass with flying colors,” sabi naman ni Arum. “A victory on Dec. 10 will make a strong argument for Terence to be named fighter of the year.”