Terence Crawford is poised to make a significant mark in his career as he attempts to secure a world title in his fourth weight class. On Saturday, he will face off against WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles. This bout will be Crawford’s debut in the junior middleweight division, following his previous triumphs as a world champion in lightweight, junior welterweight, and welterweight classes.
Despite Crawford’s long-standing reputation as one of the sport’s elite fighters, his recent performances have catapulted him to the top of nearly every pound-for-pound ranking. In a much-anticipated showdown, Crawford overpowered Errol Spence Jr., securing a TKO victory in the ninth round to capture the undisputed welterweight championship.
Since defeating Spence in July 2023, Crawford has yet to return to the ring. A rematch was initially expected, but Spence’s cataract surgery led to the expiration of the rematch clause.
Crawford was already planning to move up in weight, which now allows him to focus on new challenges, including his bout with Madrimov.
“I’m feeling great,” Crawford said this week. “On Saturday, I have a gift for all of you. I hope he can do everything to beat me, but as I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again, this is Terence Crawford’s era, and I’m taking that belt.”
Crawford’s competitive spirit drives him to push beyond his limits, always seeking to achieve what he hasn’t before.
Madrimov, who comes from a strong amateur background with several championships, turned professional in 2018 and holds an undefeated record of 10-0-1. His only blemish was a technical draw against Michel Soro in July 2022 due to an eye injury from a head clash. This fight was a rematch of their 2021 bout, which Madrimov won controversially by TKO after a punch landed after the bell.
In his most recent fight, Madrimov captured the WBA title by stopping Magomed Kurbanov in the fifth round. A pre-fight medical issue nearly halted the bout, requiring a second MRI. With Jermell Charlo named “Champion in Recess” by the WBA, Madrimov and Kurbanov fought for the vacant belt. While Madrimov is a skilled fighter and can be argued as one of the top fighters at 154 pounds, Crawford will enter the ring as a strong contender for the title.
Madrimov expressed excitement, saying, “I’m feeling great; I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. My dream is coming true. On Saturday night, I’ll show every boxing fan a great fight.”
One of the major storylines leading up to the fight is Crawford’s pursuit of a showdown with unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. Despite the weight difference, a match between two of this generation’s best fighters would be a blockbuster and a highly lucrative option as both are nearing the end of their careers.
Although Alvarez initially dismissed the idea, he has warmed to it in recent months, meaning Crawford must avoid any missteps to keep the fight on the horizon.
Saturday’s event features one of the deepest undercards of the year by boxing standards. Despite a setback with Tim Tszyu and Vergil Ortiz Jr. not making it, there’s still plenty of exciting action to look forward to. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will defend his WBA Junior Welterweight title against Jose Valenzuela in the co-main event. Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz returns after a two-year hiatus to face Jerrell “Big Baby” Miller, known more for his off-ring controversies. Additionally, rising American heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson will face his toughest test yet against Martin Bakole, and former WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell will make his light heavyweight debut against Radivoje Kalajdzic.
Before diving into predictions and expert picks for the main event, let’s take a closer look at the rest of the undercard with the latest odds.
Crawford vs. Madrimov Fight Card Odds
– Terence Crawford -700 vs. Israil Madrimov (c) +475, WBA Junior Middleweight Title
– Isaac Cruz (c) -450 vs. Jose Valenzuela +330, WBA Junior Welterweight Title
– Andy Ruiz -300 vs. Jerrell Miller +230, Heavyweight
– David Morrell -3000 vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic +1400, Light Heavyweight
– Jared Anderson -190 vs. Martin Bakole +155, Heavyweight
– Andy Cruz -2000 vs. Antonio Moran +1100, Lightweight
– Steven Nelson -1600 vs. Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez +750, Super Middleweight
– Ziyad Almayouf -2500 vs. Michel Bulic +950, Welterweight
Prediction
Madrimov is no lightweight opponent for Crawford at 154 pounds and is arguably one of the best fighters in this division. Crawford, considered one of the best fighters globally, is expected to win this bout. While Madrimov has his strengths, Crawford’s superior skills are often the deciding factor.
Things could get interesting if age (with Crawford nearing 37) and a year out of the ring catch up with him. History shows that many great fighters eventually hit a wall where age affects their performance, allowing lesser fighters to stay competitive.
However, Crawford might avoid this scenario on Saturday. Instead, Madrimov may find some success early, but once Crawford locks in his game plan, halting his momentum will be nearly impossible.
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