ESPN commentator fears Pacquiao will be ‘knocked out’ vs Crawford

An ESPN sports commentator has expressed his fear that Manny Pacquiao will get “knocked out” if he fights reigning WBO world welterweight champion Terence Crawford.

In an episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith told another commentator Max Kellerman that he viewed Crawford as one of the two best fighters in the world and eight-division champ Pacquiao didn’t stand a chance.

“When you look at Pacquiao, he’s great, he’s aged, we get that. I’m saying this because of Crawford, not because of Pacquiao. I’m just saying Crawford is, he’s on another level,” Smith said.

“I love Pacquiao and I’m scared he’s gonna get knocked out.”

Kellerman, however, thought otherwise.

“I think by the end, he beats Pacquiao up, knocks him out, but Pacquiao’s got chances,” said Kellerman.

According to The Athletic, Pacquiao and Crawford are in talks for a possible fight on June 5 in Abu Dhabi.

Pacquiao, 42, has not entered the ring since July 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman to claim the WBA world welterweight title, which was later stripped off of him due to inactivity.

Meanwhile, Crawford, 33, holds an unbeaten record of 37-0 with 28 knockouts and is rated by The Ring as the No. 3 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News