Terence Crawford is set to take on Canelo Alvarez in September 2025 in what will be one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
Crawford will look to dethrone one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time when the pair square off in the super middleweight contest. However, their bout is not the only highly-discussed fight of the year.
In July 2025, Manny Pacquiao will make an unlikely return to the sport of boxing. Although Pacquiao competed in an exhibition bout in 2024, he will be having his first professional fight in four years when he takes on Mario Barrios.
Challenging former Gervonta Davis opponent Barrios, Pacquiao goes into the fight at 46 years of age. The fight has divided opinions among fans given ‘Pac-Man’s’ age. Crawford, however, has what may be considered an unpopular opinion on the fight.
Terence Crawford believes Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao will be a close fight
Although bookmakers have WBC World Welterweight champion Barrios as a significant favorite in the fight, ‘Bud’ Crawford does not see it the same way.
Speaking to Sporting News Australia, Crawford feels that Pacquiao will have a strong chance against the champion. “Mario Barrios is a great match up for Manny Pacquiao.”
“I think at this age, it’s a 50-50 fight for Manny Pacquiao,” Crawford added.
Pacquiao will go into the bout on July 19th, 16 years older than Barrios, whose last fight would see him draw with Abel Ramos.
The last win for ‘Pac-Man’ came against a former Barrios opponent, Keith Thurman. Winning the bout via split decision, Pacquiao was able to defeat the fighter who handed Barrios his last loss.
- READ MORE: Manny Pacquiao’s last stoppage win came seven years before potential 2025 world title shot
Sugar Ray Leonard supportive of Manny Pacquiao’s boxing return
Boxing legend ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard has shown support for Pacquiao’s 2025 boxing return as he told TMZ Sports, “Do what you want to do, man,” when asked about the fight.
In a message to Pacquiao, Leonard said, “God bless, stay healthy, take care.”
Leonard also went on to dismiss the age difference’s physical connotations to the fight, stating that mental aspects were more important.