Tim Bradley has reignited a debate regarding Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao after a sparring video from 14 years ago resurfaced online.
The footage dates back to early 2011, just weeks before Bradley’s highly anticipated –– but ultimately underwhelming –– challenge of unified super-lightweight champion Devon Alexander.
An unbeaten, up-and-coming prospect was drafted into camp for sparring rounds. That prospect was a then 10-0 Crawford, still several years removed from his first world title shot.
Crawford’s showing –– which included dropping Bradley –– has since circulated widely across the boxing community. Bradley, who uploaded the footage to his YouTube channel, has now offered his assessment of ‘Bud’ at the time, a verdict that may surprise given Crawford’s relative inexperience as a professional.
“Bud is the most talented fighter I’ve ever been in the ring [with], right along with Manny Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao is a savage. He was definitely savage, but Bud, skill for skill, I ain’t never been in the ring with nobody more skilful than Bud. And at that time I had no idea this dude could even fight from the orthodox stance. He didn’t even switch orthodox, but you can see his wrestling background.”
The resurfaced clip comes just days after Crawford responded to Oscar De La Hoya’s claim that Pacquiao would have beaten ‘Bud.’ Crawford insisted he would have beaten them both, while Pacquiao offered his own retort, saying the American was “lucky” they never fought.
Bradley shared the ring with Pacquiao on three occasions, controversially winning their first meeting in 2012 before losing the rematch and rubber match in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
Though the Filipino is due to return to the ring in the first half of 2026 at the age of 47, Crawford has recently announced his retirement, happy to bow out on a victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to become a three-weight undisputed champion.
