Terence Crawford locks in on Israil Madrimov throughout their Aug. 3 WBA 154-pound title struggle at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles (Picture credit score: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing)
LOS ANGELES – Terence Crawford likes to problem himself and doesn’t prefer to lose.
Few fighters like him have that mindset, however that mixture has labored to date.
The unbeaten Crawford outboxed and defeated Israil Madrimov by shut unanimous resolution atop Saturday’s DAZN Pay-Per-View occasion from BMO Stadium. Crawford (41-0, 31 knockouts) gained by scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112, and claimed the WBA junior middleweight title.
With that feat, Crawford is now a four-division titlist.
Boxing followers can debate how the struggle performed out.
Uzbekistan’s Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) offered a difficult-to-solve model and validated his No. 3 Ring ranking at 154 kilos. He fought a disciplined struggle put forth by coach Joel Diaz and relied on a skillset he honed within the beginner ranks.
With the Madrimov struggle now within the rearview mirror, the query requested of Crawford is who the Ring’s No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter will face subsequent.
The idea headed into struggle week was a mega-fight versus Ring and unified tremendous middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs). Curiosity within the struggle appears to lean extra on the Crawford facet. Extra so, with the backing of Turki Alalshikh whose Riyadh Season group introduced Saturday’s present.
In earlier interviews, together with one in the course of the PPV occasion, Alalshikh said he would once more supply Canelo a struggle in opposition to Crawford. Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia are prompt locations for the tremendous struggle.
“As I’ve stated earlier than on ESPN, I’ve made (Alvarez) a suggestion,” stated Alalshikh. “If he’s sensible, he’ll settle for it.”
After the win over Madrimov, Crawford was nonetheless open to a struggle in opposition to Alvarez.
“You already know what I’ve stated, ‘If the cash is true, we acquired a struggle,” stated Crawford in an interview after the struggle with Chris Mannix. “(Canelo) has a struggle to deal with. I’ve a household to deal with (now that Madrimov struggle is over).”
Crawford will flip 37 on September 28. Did his efficiency in opposition to Madrimov sway Alvarez’s opinion about now eager to struggle Crawford?
Alvarez will defend his 168-pound championship versus Brooklyn’s Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs), No. 9 at 168, on September 14 in Las Vegas.
Followers have clamored for Alvarez to face David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) during the last couple of years. Alvarez has been critiqued for his disinterest within the struggle. That may possible stay the case ought to he face Crawford earlier than—or as a substitute of—Benavidez.
Alalshikh additionally revealed a contingency plan ought to Alvarez proceed to disregard his pleas. Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) has emerged as the brand new frontrunner, ought to he dethrone interim WBC interim 154-pound titlist Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs).
That struggle takes place this Saturday at Michelob ULTRA Enviornment in Las Vegas. The DAZN occasion will mark the primary sponsorship enterprise between Riyadh Season and Golden Boy Promotions, Ortiz’s promoter.
The suggestion of Crawford-Ortiz has already caught buzz, in addition to the eye of this weekend’s unbeaten challenger.
“@Turki_alalshikh put me in,” Ortiz posted on X upon listening to the on-air callout.
@Turki_alalshikh put me in!!
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) August 4, 2024
There are different profitable and compelling fights at 154 kilos.
Chief amongst them could be former WBO titlist Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs). A struggle in his native Australia—the place he fights on September 22—would do huge enterprise.
Saturday’s win additionally noticed Crawford declare the interim WBO title and develop into the WBC necessary challenger. Each choices places him on a direct path in the direction of unified WBC/WBO titleholder Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs). The WBO has already declared that the struggle should happen earlier than the tip of the yr.
Fundora was teased to subsequent face former unified welterweight titlist Errol Spence (28-1, 22 KOs), however the struggle or a prompt date has but to be introduced. Crawford dominated and stopped Spence within the 9th spherical to completely unify the 147-pound division final July.
Additionally within the combine is not too long ago topped WBA beltholder Bakhram Murtalaziev (22-0, 16 KOs). Given Crawford’s ties to Alalshikh, a unification bout versus Murtazaliev—a religious Muslim—could be an ideal slot in Riyadh.
The aggressive nature of Saturday’s win has given some followers pause over his means to dominate on the new weight. Crawford’s eleven-fight knockout streak ended versus the defensively savvy Madrimov.
It ought to by no means take away from his cemented standing as a generational expertise. In actual fact, the hassle so as to add to that legacy is much more compelling.
Crawford can stay put at 154 and try and develop into the first-ever three-division undisputed champion within the multi-belt period. Solely 4 fighters in historical past have completed the feat when the game solely acknowledged one champion per division.
The final to take action was the legendary Henry Armstrong, who concurrently held the 126, 135 and 147-pound championships in 1938.
Crawford might additional problem himself at his new weight earlier than a proposed struggle versus Alvarez. The percentages of him dropping in opposition to any of the world titleholders at this weight class might be fascinating.
Happily for the game, it’s a threat that Crawford is at all times prepared to take.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He might be reached at [email protected]
Observe @FSalazarBoxing
