Manny Pacquiao Responds to Terence Crawford After Crawford Said He Would’ve Beaten Pacquiao in His Prime – Full Exchange Goes Viral

Legendary eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has once again shown why he is called “The People’s Champ.” On Thursday, December 4, 2025, Terence Crawford fired verbal shots, claiming he would have brutally defeated prime Pacquiao.

Crawford’s explosive comment came during a heated interview on the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast. The current undisputed welterweight king directly addressed Pacquiao after recalling Oscar De La Hoya’s opinion.

De La Hoya previously stated that Pacquiao in his prime would have beaten Crawford because he himself got stopped by Manny in 2008. Crawford responded with fire: “Oscar said Manny would’ve beat me because he got stopped by him. Look, I would have f***** you.”

The clip instantly exploded across social media platforms. Within hours, #CrawfordVsPacquiao, #BudCallsOutManny, and #PrimePacquiao trended worldwide as boxing fans debated the hypothetical super-fight.

Many fans praised Crawford’s confidence, while others felt the language crossed the line of respect. The boxing community waited anxiously to see if the 46-year-old Pacquiao would clap back.

True to his humble character, Manny Pacquiao responded on Instagram with pure class. He posted a throwback photo of himself in training and wrote: “All love champ. God bless you and your family always.”

Pacquiao’s short but powerful reply immediately went viral, garnering over 1.2 million likes in less than 24 hours. Fans flooded the comments section calling him “the definition of a true champion inside and outside the ring.”

Terence Crawford, known as “Bud,” has long been considered one of the pound-for-pound best fighters on the planet. He became undisputed champion at 140 and 147 pounds, defeating stars like Errol Spence Jr.

At 37 years old, Crawford remains undefeated at 40-0 with 31 knockouts. His switch-hitting ability, ring IQ, and devastating power have led many to believe he could compete with any welterweight in history.

Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, retired in 2021 with an incredible record of 62-8-2 and 39 KOs. He is the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, from flyweight to super welterweight.

Prime Pacquiao from 2005 to 2012 is widely regarded as one of the most destructive forces ever. During that era, he demolished legends like Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Márquez, Erik Morales, and Oscar De La Hoya.

The Filipino icon’s speed, volume punching, and southpaw angles created nightmares for opponents. Many analysts still argue that peak Pacquiao would be too fast and too powerful for even modern elites.

Crawford’s bold claim ignited intense fan debates on YouTube, Reddit, and Twitter Spaces. Some pointed to Bud’s superior footwork and timing as advantages, while others highlighted Manny’s insane work rate.

Veteran trainer Freddie Roach, who guided Pacquiao for years, weighed in during an interview with FightHype. He laughed and said, “Prime Manny knocks everybody out – including Crawford. That speed was unreal.”

Former rival Juan Manuel Márquez also commented, stating that Crawford is elite but prime Pacquiao fought at a different pace. “Manny threw 100 punches per round like it was nothing,” Márquez recalled.

Even Errol Spence Jr., who lost to Crawford, posted on X: “Bud is cold, but prime Pac? That’s a different animal. Respect to both though.” The tweet quickly surpassed 500,000 views.

Boxing promoters have long dreamed of a Pacquiao-Crawford showdown. Talks surfaced in 2020 when both were under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, but the fight never materialized due to various reasons.

Many insiders believe Crawford wanted the bout more than Pacquiao’s team. Manny was already a senator in the Philippines and focused on politics while still campaigning occasionally.

Now, with Pacquiao returning for an exhibition against Japanese star Naoya Inoue in 2026, fans are once again fantasy-booking prime versions of both fighters colliding.

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who promoted both men, told ESPN that prime Pacquiao versus prime Crawford would be “the biggest welterweight fight since Leonard-Hearns.” He gave a slight edge to Manny’s volume.

Social media reactions continue pouring in. One viral post read: “Crawford talks tough, but Pacquiao just responded with grace and shut the whole thing down. That’s why he’s the GOAT.”

Another fan wrote: “Terence said he’d ‘f*** you up,’ and Manny said ‘God bless your family.’ That contrast is exactly why Pacquiao has millions of fans worldwide.”

The exchange has reignited interest in Pacquiao’s legacy. New documentaries and YouTube breakdowns comparing prime Manny to current stars are racking up millions of views overnight.

Meanwhile, Crawford is scheduled to defend his titles in early 2026. Many expect him to address Pacquiao’s classy response during his next press conference.

Regardless of opinions, one thing is clear: Manny Pacquiao proved once again that respect and humility win hearts. His simple message turned potential controversy into a masterclass in sportsmanship.

As the boxing world continues debating who would win in their primes, Pacquiao walks away with another victory – this time without throwing a single punch.