Pacquiao is Warned By Ex-Coach To Avoid Crawford

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The American trainer who handled eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao when he won his first world title, the WBC flyweight crown with a spectacular 8th round knockout of Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul - has advised Pacquiao to avoid a fight with WBO light welterweight champion Terence Crawford who demolished Manny’s sparring partner Dierry Jean in ten rounds on Saturday night.

Staheli told New Standard/BoxingScene.com.com that - “it’s a dangerous fight. Just stay away from him. [Crawford] is not a huge name and Manny won’t make big money.”

The undefeated Omaha native has a record of 27-0 with 19 knockouts.

Staheli said Crawford “is going to be tough for anybody” recalling that he was the “Fighter of the Year” in 2014.

He said former sparring partner and one-time stablemate Amir Khan “would be the best fight but they are claiming negotiations never started.”

Staheli who is an astute analyst and a fine trainer believes that Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse who has also been prominently mentioned as a possible opponent - “is an easy fight for Manny. He’s got decent power but is not that good.”

Crawford dominated every round against Jean, a Canadian by way of Haiti who was one of Pacquiao’s sparring partners when he was preparing for the “Fight of the Century” against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2.

Crawford dropped Jean three times in the fight before referee Tony Weeks called a halt to the contest at 2:30 of the 10th round when Crawford was battering him. At one point Jean's trainer Marc Ramsay had stepped on the apron to throw in the towel, but apparently had a change of heart and stepped down, which only postponed the inevitable.