The boxing world will be paying attention to the next Riyadh Season card this weekend when the undefeated Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov clash to determine the new WBA and WBO interim super welterweight champion.
Crawford comes into this fight after his sesnsational showing against Errol Spence Jr
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Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov information
- Saturday, August 3rd 2024
- BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California
- Super Welterweight division (154 pounds)
- WBA (and WBO interim) world super welterweight title
- 12 x 3 minute rounds
- Live on DAZN
Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov odds
- Terence Crawford - (-750)
- Israil Madrimov - (+600)
One of the best of all-time, Terence Crawford comes into this bout with a professional record of 40-0 including 31 wins via knockout.
"Bud" has won each of his last 11 fights via stoppage, proving himself to be one of the heaviest hitters in the sport. He claimed his WBO welterweight title with a ninth-round KO against Jeff Horn back in 2018, and has since defended it seven times.
He stopped Jose Benavidez Jr in the final round of their bout in his first defense, before a stunning sixth-round stoppage over Amir Khan in the following bout.
Crawford followed that up with a 9th round stoppage over Egidijus Kavaliauskas, before bettering Spence's win over Kell Brook by finishing him in the 4th round. He then stopped Shawn Porter before defeating David Avanesyan in the sixth round back in December 2022.
Last time out he became the undisputed welterweight champion with a sensational stoppage victory over Errol Spence Jr, and now moves up to 154-pounds to further cement his legacy.
He'll be coming up against yet another undefeated world champion this time out, with reigning champion Israil Madrimov coming into the fight with a professional record of 10-0-1 including seven knockouts.
Despite being early into his career, the Uzbekistani fighter has a decorated amateur career, and stepped into the pro game and won the WBA Inter-continental super welterweight title in just his second fight with a second-round knockout against Frank Rojas.
More recently Madrimov earned a knockout win over Michael Soro before they fought to a technical draw in a rematch after a violent clash of heads in the third round cut Soro above the eye.
Since then "The Dream" earned a unanimous decision win over Raphael Igbokwe, before winning the WBO super welterweight championship with a fifth-round knockout over Magomed Kurbanov.
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Terence Crawford v Israil Madrimov preview
The Uzbekistani fighter must take advantage in the early rounds if he wants success, because once Crawford makes any reads he will take over and start to dominate.
Madrimov is an extreme athlete and because of his background in gymnastics, the 29-year-old is loose and explosive with fluid movement. His footwork is also incredible and he uses angles very well, while having power in both hands.
As the younger, fresher, fighter, Madrimov must capitalize without being too aggressive and leaving openings for "Bud" to counter him with power shots of his own.
As for Crawford's route to victory, he is more than capable of taking the early rounds slowly and just figuring out his lesser-known opponent. "Bud" can throw some feints, lay the foundation with body work, and gradually build up to an explosive finish while also making him pay for any early mistakes.
Early on, Crawford will use his excellent defense to stay safe, using good head movement to steer clear of danger and tee up his opponent. The champ occasionally exposes himself when he needs to close the distance, and if Madrimov has done his homework he'll know this is his best chance of scoring the knockout he needs.
Boxing picks: Crawford gets it done
There is an argument that "Bud" is the greatest in the world right now and the pound-for-pound number one boxing champion, and his biggest competition to that crown is Canelo Alvarez.
Crawford is chasing a fight with the Mexican sensation and knows that a win in this fight could potentially set up a mega-fight between the two undisputed world champions later in 2024.
Madrimov has got great power and his skills are capable of doing great damage, but Crawford is in the absolute peak of his career right now and his knockout run shows that he is capable of finishing fights in an instant too.
Crawford is very good at doubling and even tripling up his jab before throwing a power punch, and that delay could catch Madrimov off guard. The later the fight goes the more likely he is to have time to make reads and switch things up too, and his variety of punches plus his power and speed combination makes a finish likely.
With excellent footwork, far more experience and the power to put opponents to bed early, back Crawford to keep his undefeated record and add to his finishing streak with a call out for Canelo to come afterward.
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