Promoter Eddie Hearn predicts WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov will knock out highly-rated pound-for-pound fighter Terence Crawford in a bout on August 3 in Los Angeles.
If Hearn's prediction proves correct, it would jeopardize Crawford's plans to build an unbeaten record at 154 pounds and then move up to 168 to face three-time super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
Jump-level danger
It would be quite a shock for Crawford to lose his first bout at 154 pounds, but it would show why weight classes exist: When a fighter moves up too much weight class, they eventually hit a ceiling and stop altogether.
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) has moved up to 154 pounds in hopes of becoming the undisputed champion in his third weight class, but he may finally find himself facing an opponent he can't beat.
If Crawford isn't in such a rush, he could move up to 154 and take his time against one of the following challengers: Josh Kelly, Xander Zayas, Erickson Rubin or Vergil Ortiz. If Crawford can beat two or three of these fighters, he'll be ready to take on Madrimov.
Is Madrimov Crawford's kryptonite?
His selection of Madrimore (10-0-1, 7 KOs) for his first bout at 154 pounds suggests he views Madrimore as an easy target, and there could be a big surprise in store.
The Nebraska native is returning from a 13-month hiatus, one month after his September bout against Madrimov when Crawford was 37. While Crawford is likely better than Madrimov in terms of technical boxing, that isn't the case when you factor in age, power and experience in the weight class.
At 29, Madrimov is younger, bigger and stronger than Crawford, and this is his weight class.
Crawford’s inactivity is bad enough, but his age and lack of experience at 154 pounds before taking on Madrimov could be a recipe for disaster.
Crawford is basically cutting corners, opting not to try out at junior middleweight in order to better prepare for this fight due to a lack of confidence.
“Israil Madrimov will knock out Crawford on August 3rd,” promoter Eddie Hearn told Second Out, predicting that WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov will defeat challenger Terence Crawford by knockout on August 3 in Los Angeles.
