Terence Crawford is set to pursue a world title in his fourth weight class when he faces WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on Saturday in Los Angeles. This bout marks Crawford’s debut in the junior middleweight division after previously securing world titles at lightweight and becoming the undisputed champion at both junior welterweight and welterweight.
Crawford is regarded as one of the top fighters in boxing, and his latest victory over Errol Spence Jr. has solidified his position near the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. In that highly anticipated fight, Crawford earned a ninth-round TKO, crowning himself the undisputed welterweight champion.
Since the July 2023 fight against Spence, Crawford has not fought again. Initially, a rematch was expected; however, Spence underwent cataract surgery, which led to the expiration of their rematch clause. With a transition to junior middleweight already in mind, Crawford shifted his attention to a match against Madrimov.
“I feel great, come Saturday I got a treat for y’all,” Crawford stated this week. “I’m expecting him to do everything he can to throw me off, but I said it before and I’ll say it again, this is the Terence Crawford era and I’m taking that belt. I’m just so competitive that when I think I’ve reached my ceiling, there’s always that extra push to do something that I haven’t done before.”
Madrimov boasts a strong amateur background with numerous titles. Since turning pro in 2018, he has maintained an impressive record of 10 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw. His only setback came in a technical draw against Michel Soro in July 2022 resulting from an accidental head clash. This fight was a rematch after Madrimov had previously defeated Soro by TKO in a controversial 2021 bout.
In Madrimov’s most recent fight, he claimed the WBA title by stopping Magomed Kurbanov in the fifth round, despite facing a pre-fight medical issue that necessitated further testing. As Jermell Charlo was declared “champion in recess” by the WBA, Madrimov and Kurbanov competed for the vacant title.
Though Madrimov is a formidable contender and potentially the top fighter in the 154-pound class, Crawford is favored to win and capture the title.
“I feel great, I’ve waited for this moment for a long time,” Madrimov said. “My dream is coming true. Saturday night I’ll show every boxing fan a great fight. I’m only thinking about the victory, and I will show everything that I have inside the ring.”
One of the key narratives leading up to the fight also includes Crawford’s aspirations to face unified super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Despite the weight disparity, a matchup between these two elite fighters would be significant and financially beneficial as they near the end of their careers. Alvarez has been more open to the idea in recent months, increasing the importance of Crawford’s performance on Saturday to keep the possibility alive.
Here are the odds for the Crawford vs. Madrimov fight card:
– 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. Jarrell Miller +230, heavyweights
– David Morrell -3000 vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic +1400, light heavyweights
– Jared Anderson -190 vs. Martin Bakole +155, heavyweights
– Andy Cruz -2000 vs. Antonio Moran +1100, lightweights
– Steven Nelson -1600 vs. Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez +750, super middleweights
– Ziyad Almaayouf -2500 vs. Michal Bulik +950, welterweights
As for predictions, while Madrimov is a serious competitor, Crawford is anticipated to emerge victorious. The fight could become interesting if age and a year-out of the ring start affecting Crawford’s performance. Historically, many great fighters have faced challenges as they age, potentially opening opportunities for their opponents.
However, it is likely that Crawford will start gradually, allowing Madrimov some success early on before adopting a dominant game plan. Once Crawford gains momentum, it becomes exceedingly challenging for opponents to stop him. Prediction: Terence Crawford by TKO in the eighth round.