Crawford vs. Madrimov photograph by German Villasenor
Terence Crawford thought of the (pound-for-pound) greatest within the sport, moved as much as 154 kilos to tackle WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov in the primary occasion of a (card of the yr) boxing present at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday night time.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) regarded so as to add the WBA 154-pound title to his profession assortment, which incorporates being the previous boss at light-weight, mild welterweight, and welterweight.
Madrimov, an excellent beginner and an undefeated champion (10-1-1, 7 KO) regarded to make use of his dimension and energy punching to carry off the supremely proficient Crawford.
The stacked card additionally featured a bunch of champions together with former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) vs. Jarrell Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs) and Mexican star Isaac Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) defending his WBA tremendous light-weight strap in opposition to upset-minded Jose Venezuela (14-2, 9 KOs).
In the primary occasion, it was challenger Crawford’s supreme counter-punching and boxing IQ up in opposition to the naturally greater and famous energy of champion Madrimov. Whereas Crawford had a resume that far outweighed Madrimov’s, there have been heaps of people that felt Madrimov was a stay canine, to say the least, based mostly on his intensive beginner expertise and his greater, stronger body.
May Crawford use his supreme timing and counter-punching expertise to carry off Madrimov’s aggression and energy? May Madrimov flip it right into a slug-fest that may enable him to land one thing?
The primary occasion was a tough back-and-forth affair, with each fighters having success earlier within the combat. Crawford got here on sturdy later within the combat in an effort that was sufficient to safe the victory and declare the 140-pound title. Whereas Crawford supporters had been basking within the glow of tonight’s combat, in fact the combat was shut. However, he obtained the win, and he’s now a 4-division champ.
Whereas some could query why he didn’t dominate extra in opposition to a fighter with solely 10 fights, ultimately he achieved victory and that’s all that issues. Did he do sufficient to persuade folks he might deal with one other bounce to 168 kilos? That’s one other combat for one more day.
After the combat, he knew that he was in for a tricky night time and confirmed lots of respect to Madrimov.
“Israil was a tricky competitor”, mentioned Crawford. “He’s powerful, he’s sturdy and he obtained me to spherical 12”, he mentioned. “He’s disciplined, he didnt are available in throwing wild pictures like I supposed him to”, he mentioned.
After the combat, discuss instantly turned to Crawford vs. Saul Alvarez, hopefully for early subsequent yr. If Crawford does take the combat he could be once more transferring up one other 14-pounds to 168.
Relating to that combat, Crawford mentioned, “If the cash is correct, we obtained a combat. I’m going to loosen up and revel in this win”, he mentioned.
Andy Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KO) MD Jarrell Miller (26-1-2, 22 KO).
Ruiz regarded like a man who hadn’t been within the ring in nearly 2 years. At all times identified for his unbelievable hand pace, Ruiz was nonetheless quick however appeared to have misplaced a slight step within the pace division. And conditioning /ring rust appeared to play a task on the night time for Ruiz. Miller pressed and pressed a tiring Ruiz who appeared like a teal-time advert for the consequences of inactivity. Ultimately, Ruiz banked some early rounds and Miller closed quick and powerful. Closing consequence, one decide for Miller and a pair of had it even for a majority draw.
Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KO) Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KO).
In probably the greatest heavyweight slug-fests seen shortly, Martin Bakole merely pounded and stopped rising star Jared Anderson. Bakole had Anderson down quite a few occasions and easily appeared too sturdy for Anderson. Whereas Anderson confirmed unbelievable coronary heart and toughness, the ability of Bakole was simply an excessive amount of.
David Morrell (11-0, 9 KO) W UD Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KO) WBA mild heavyweight world title ) 118-110, 117-111 x 2
Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KO) TKO 7 Antonio Moran (30-7-1, 21 KO)
Off TV Prelims
Steve Nelson (20-0, 16 KO) TKO 5 Marcos Vazquez (20-1-1, 10 KO)
Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0-1, 1 KO) MD 6 Michal Bulk (7-7, 2 KO)
