Popular boxer Terence Crawford will face WBC junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov this Saturday, August 3rd.
His Excellency Turki Ararcik believes in giving fans their money's worth and he delivered just that with Crawford vs. Madrimov. The undercard was amazing and the event on DAZN and ESPN+ PPV was something not seen in the US in years.
Madrimov: The Real Threat
Crawford's second choice was Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), who was coming off an unsuccessful title fight against WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fandora, but he may end up wishing he had chosen another fighter.
Initially, fans who were unfamiliar with Madrimov thought it would be an easy win for Crawford, but as the fight drew closer, they looked into the Uzbek’s background and realized that this man had a chance of winning the bout.
That would be a bad outcome for Crawford and the fans hoping to see him fight Canelo Alvarez in the first quarter of next year.
This Saturday, Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) and Madrimov will compete in a 12-round bout at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
“I'm excited for this fight because I expect to see Madrimov at his best. As we get closer to the fight, I've heard less and less about Crawford vs. Canelo and it felt like I was missing out on Madrimov,” boxing expert Paulie Malignaggi told Probox TV about this Saturday's Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov bout.
Madrimov will make Crawford earn his money in this fight and will likely give Crawford a sizeable lead, and even if Crawford wins, it won't be a clean sweep like his last two bouts against Errol Spence and David Avanesyan.
“As the battle drew closer, Madrimov's threats became more real and now the talk has stopped,” Malignaggi said.
Madrimov was always a threat, but now people know that Crawford didn't go easy on Turki, facing arguably the best fighter he's faced in his 16-year career.
Madrimov has beaten everyone Crawford has ever fought, yes he is bigger than everyone Crawford has ever fought, but if he was the same size as him he would win.
“Madrimov is a very tough opponent for Crawford, no matter how good Crawford is,” Chris Algieri said. “Coach Diaz emphasized everything I thought about Madrimov: his athleticism, his mindset and what he brings to the ring. What he can do. Switching sides, the fluidity he has.”
Crawford's Challenges
The timing of this fight is terrible for Crawford for two reasons.
- Suspended for 13 months
- Terence will be 37 in September.
- Distraction from Canelo
“Madrimov is a very talented young man and when you talk about discipline in addition to experience, these Eastern European fighters come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, and I think that's what makes this fight intriguing,” Algieri said.
Madrimov isn't like a fighter who goes between fights to eat, drink and do whatever. He's dedicated. Unlike Crawford, Madrimov doesn't take a year off to celebrate every win.
