The shocking accusation of Manny Pacquiao trap against Terence Crawford Rocks Boxing World, the stunned of the referee all
In an amazing turn of the events that shock waves have sent through the boxing community, the legendary boxer Filipino Manny Pacquiao accused Terence “Bud” Crawford to cheat during his historic unanimous decision victory over Saul “Canelo” Álvarez in the Mega-Fight of the 2025 season of Riyadh on September 13, September 13, September 13, September 13, September 13, September 13, Allegiant Stadium in Lasello. The explosive accusation, held during a burning press conference on September 17, 2025, occurred a few days after Crawford’s masterful performance, which saw him destroy Álvarez to become the indisputable medium -sized champion and the first male boxer to hold indisputable titles in three kinds of weight at the time of the four Belt. Pacquiao’s statement met with the immediate rejection of the referee of the fight that delivered an incredibly sincere defense, has lit a storm of controversy, threatening to tarnish Crawford’s legacy and cause urgent scrutiny of boxing authorities as fans demand answers.
The drama was developed after the performance of 12 Crawford assaults against Álvarez, a fight that broke Gate’s records with $ 47 million in revenues and obtained a global audience through the live broadcast of Netflix. Pacquiao, a former world champion and world icon of eight divisions, surprised the journalists in a Press event by Manila declaring: “cheated in combat! While Pacquiao did not at the height of the evidence, the sources close to their camp, quoted by ESPN, suggested suspicions of substances that improve the performance or the inadequate manipulation of the gloves. similar controversies of the past of boxing.
The fight itself was a technical showcase, with Crawford, a loser of +145, taking advantage of its precision, foot game and its implacable jab to overcome Álvarez, which absorbed the punishment visible by the posterior rounds. The judges noted the combat 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in favor of Crawford, consolidating their status as generational talent. However, Pacquiao’s comments pointed out Crawford’s “anti -natural” resistance with 168 pounds, a two -way class of weight over its natural welter weight frame, feeding the speculation among some fans in X, where publications such as the “Pacquiao de @boxingtruth about something: Crawford looked too sharp.” Others, like @fightfanatic, dismissed the statements, tweeting: “Manny is bitter that he never fought against the friend. Without evidence, only noise.”
The controversy took a dramatic turn when referee Mark Nelson, who officiated the fight, responded to Pacquiao’s accusations during an interview with Boxingscene. In a rare and forceful statement, Nelson declared: “I saw every second of that close fight, and Crawford fought clean like a whistle. Pacquiao’s statements have no foundation, their team should know better than throwing mud without evidence.” Nelson’s words, backed by his reputation as one of the most respected officials of boxing, surprised the press room and changed the narrative, and many praised his openness. In addition, he noted that both combatants underwent rigorous inspections prior and after the fight for the Athletic Commission of the State of Nevada (NSAC), including glove controls and drug tests by the Voluntary Antibroz Association (VAD), without irregularities. “If Manny has evidence, show it. Otherwise, he respects the sport,” Nelson added, causing applause from the analysts present.
The accusations have pushed the boxing in a Debate maelstrom, and the NSAC confirms that it is reviewing Pacquiao’s claims, although the sources indicate that the initial Vada tests returned clean results for both combatants. Pacquiao’s reasons are under scrutiny, and some speculate the 46 -year -old player, just out of a strong but controversial loss against Mario Barrios in July 2025, he can be suffering a high profile crash with Crawford to limit his historical career. Others, such as Michael Buffer of Sky Sports, suggest that Pacquiao’s comments reflect frustration by their own relevance that fades, especially after the Crawford team previously dismissed a possible fight, citing financial concerns. Social networks are on fire with #PacquiaOvscrawford and #boxingdrama, accumulating more than 400,000 mentions, since fans are divided between defending Crawford’s integrity and questioning whether Pacquiao’s experience gives weight to their statements.
Crawford, who won $ 50 million for Álvarez’s fight, has not yet responded directly, but his team issued a statement through ESPN, qualifying the accusations of “disappointing and unfounded” and promising to cooperate with any investigation. The boxing world now expects the findings of the NSAC, expected before the next main card in October, which could definitely clarify Crawford or increase the controversy. The consequences are at risk of eclipssing the historical achievement of Crawford, which saw him claim the medium weight belts of the AMB, WBC, WBO and the IBF and the coveted belt of “Nahui Huey Altepemeh” – Tlaxcala II of the WBC. For Pacquiao, the movement is a high -risk bet, whether a bold position for the integrity of sport or a false step that could tarnish its legacy as a loved figure.
As the saga develops, the boxing community prepares for what could be a decisive moment. Will Pacquiao produce evidence to corroborate its claims, or Nelson’s resolved defense and clean Vada tests will close the chapter? With rivalries such as the praise after Canelo’s fight of Crawford’s skills that add complexity, sport is located at a crossroads, where the truth, legacy and pride collide at the relentless care center of the ring
