Terence Crawford says he feels robust at 154 forward of his combat in opposition to WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on Saturday dwell on DAZN.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is transferring up seven kilos from 147 to 154, trying to dethrone the unbeaten Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in his first combat within the division, after which doubtlessly transfer up once more.
Madrimov may have one thing to say about whether or not Crawford strikes ahead together with his profession on Saturday evening. He plans on giving the newcomer a impolite welcome by beating him and altering his imaginative and prescient of utilizing their combat as a launching pad for a conflict in opposition to Canelo Alvarez at 168.
Crawford says he’s not overlooking Madrimov, however all through the promotion of their combat, he’s made it identified that he needs Canelo subsequent. Regardless of how Crawford needs to spin that, that’s a sign that he’s wanting previous Madrimov and viewing him as a stepping stone.
Comparisons to Jeff Horn
Some imagine that Madrimov is similar to Jeff Horn, a fighter Crawford knocked out within the ninth spherical in June 2018. Horn is way sooner than Madrimov however lacks his energy.
Crawford had extra pace again then, and he’s slowed down rather a lot within the final six years. He’s nonetheless quick, however not like when he fought Horn six years in the past.
Madrimov could have issues with Crawford if he fails to harm him together with his photographs as a result of he can’t match his pace and mixture punching. Crawford was stronger than Horn and muscled him together with his wrestling within the clinch.
It is perhaps troublesome for him to try this in opposition to Madrimov as a result of he’s extra highly effective than Horn was then.
“I really feel nice, I really feel robust, and I really feel motivated. I’m simply able to exit right here and do my factor,” stated Terence Crawford to Struggle Hub TV, discussing his combat in opposition to Israil Madrimov on Saturday evening.
Crawford appeared close to weight right now and confirmed no indicators of being drained. It must be attention-grabbing to see if he can retain his pace from 147 for this combat.
“I wasn’t heated. Eddie was simply throwing rocks and simply saying something that involves his thoughts,” stated Crawford about Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn getting him agitated throughout his assembly on Monday on the BMO Stadium with Madrimov current.
“He’s a fantastic fighter. He’s robust, he’s hungry, he’s sturdy, and he’s athletic,” stated Crawford about Madrimov. He’s received quite a lot of expertise within the beginner rankings, however as you possibly can see, he’s a champion with solely 11 fights, and that tells you a large number about his expertise proper now.
If Crawford can deal with Madrimov’s energy, he ought to win this combat handily. If he needs the Canelo combat, a knockout can be his finest wager. It’s not a good suggestion for Crawford to field and play it secure in opposition to Madrimov as a result of Canelo is not going to wish to combat somebody who will give him flashbacks to his combat in opposition to Floyd Mayweather Jr. a decade in the past.
“I’m solely anxious about one particular person, and that’s Israil. I’m not overlooking this man. It’s a troublesome opponent. It’s going to be robust come Saturday. I’m not overlooking anyone proper now or anxious about anyone,” stated Crawford.
Terence was requested about his ideas on Errol Spence doubtlessly retiring. He hasn’t fought in a 12 months since his loss to Crawford, and followers have speculated that he may cling up his gloves.
“We all know he’s able to quite a lot of issues, however we’re not going to miss something, and that’s why we put together the way in which we put together and concentrate on him the way in which we centered on,” stated Crawford about Madrimov.
For Madrimov to have an opportunity of profitable, he can’t miss together with his photographs like he did in his final couple of fights. He wings photographs, lots of that are wanting the mark, leaving him open to being countered. Madrimov received away with this in opposition to Magomed Kurbanov and Raphael Igbokwe as a result of they lacked the talents to make him pay.
“I’ve at all times sparred greater guys. I’ve by no means sparred with guys my measurement. So, that’s nothing. Nope,” stated Crawford on whether or not preventing at tremendous middleweight can be an issue for him.
Crawford must be fantastic with being the smaller man in opposition to Madrimov as a result of he’s dealing with a sluggish fighter that may’t give him issues together with his measurement the way in which a faster fighter would. If Crawford have been to maneuver as much as 175 and tackle Dmitry Bivol or David Benavidez, he’d have issues.
