Longtime boxing commentator and personality, Larry Merchant was on hand to see Terence Crawford introduce himself to the boxing world in front of over 10,000 people in his home city as he stopped Yuriorkis Gamboa in 9 rounds that is definitely a fight of the year contender.
Crawford who holds the WBO version of the 135 lb. title was said to be moving up after this fight to 140, where there are many quality fights especially if his promoter Top Rank is playing nice with Golden Boy.
But Merchant hopes Crawford and his team take a different approach and point him in the direction of one Manny Pacquiao.
“I’d like to see Crawford fight Manny Pacquiao next. I think if he’s going to move up to 140 lbs as he said and to me the ideal weight for Manny has been 140, why not? I think right now it’s a 50/50 fight,” Merchant told ThaBoxingVoice.com.
Sure not many people will agree with Merchant’s opinion but that’s not something that’s new to Larry.
“I’m sure people will think that’s a crazy statement. But Crawford is coming into his own and is one special boxer. And I think Manny has slowed down enough for where a young special guy like Terence can make it fight and possibly win,” explained Merchant.
Now will it happen next? Merchant doesn’t believe so but hopes it happens very soon.
“Now will the powers that be that know the sport more than me and you make the fight next? I don’t know. But I know they want to go to Macau and need an opponent and I’m not sure if they get the Marquez fight out there but it’s a thought. If it doesn’t happen now, make it happen next year. I think it’s a fascinating fight.”
