Let’s start with the obvious question: What the heck?
Terence Crawford, boxing’s pound-for-pound king, is fighting a guy with a professional record of 10-0-1?
Well, Israin Madrimov is more than a guy. He’s a seasoned, 29-year-old fighter from Uzbekistan who’s logged 370 amateur fights and is good enough to win the WBA super welterweight title in March.
Therein lies the appeal for Crawford (40-0 with 31 knockouts).
At 36, Crawford is aiming to win a title in a fourth weight division, and continuing a steady climb in weight to prepare him for a potential showdown with Canelo Alvarez.
But this could prove to be an entertaining test for Crawford.
David Morrell def. Radivoje Kalajdzic by unanimous decision
Morrell displayed superior power, negating Kalajdzic’s steady jab and won the WBA light heavyweight fight.
Kalajdzic absorbed Morrell’s best shots and connected frequently with his jab during the 12-round bout. The judges were not impressed.
They scored it 118-110, 117-111, 117-111.
Morrell, a 26-year-old Cuban, called out heavy-hitting, undefeated light heavyweight David Benavidez while improving to 11-0. Kalajdzic, a 33-year-old native of Serbia, fell to 29-3.
(Scheduled for 12 rounds)
Round 1: Kalajdzic playing patty pat with the jab, and Morrell firing with more force and delivers with a solid left. Now Kalajdzic ramps up the power with his jab. Morrell’s punches carrying more force. Morrell 10, Kalajdzic 9.
Round 2: Morrell backs up Kalajdzic in the corner and shows his intent to dictate the action. Throwing the left with effectiveness as he backs down Kalajdzic. Kalajdzic coming alive, but too late to win the round as Morrell fires back. Morrell 20, Kalajdzic 18.
Round 3: Kalajdzic testing Morrell with the jab. Morrell eats a couple and walks through them before landing an assortment of punches. Drilling Kalajdzic as the round comes to a close. Morrell 30, Kalajdzic 27.
Round 4: Kalajdzic firing a jab that’s no real deterrent for Morrell. Now lands a right and a combination. Morrell all but scoffs as he moves forward, but Kalajdzic is far more active in this round. Morrell 39, Kalajdzic 37.
Round 5: Morrell back on the offensive, but Kalajdzic stands his ground and slows Morrell. Morrell picking up the pace here. But Kalajdzic holding his ground. Morrell 48, Kalajdzic 47.
Round 6: Morrell backs up Kalajdzic and is digging into the body. Showing more control. Morrell 58, Kalajdzic 56.
Round 7: Kalajdzic stalks as the round opens, firing that jab. Connects with a solid right and Morrell showing less confidence than earlier in the fight. Kalajdzic firing and landing with both hands. Morrell unloads but too late to win the round. Morrell 67, Kalajdzic 66.
Round 8: Kalajdzic bouncing on his feet as the round opens. But Morrell staggers him with a right hook and he’s on the attack. Morrell ate a big right, but still comes forward. Kalajdzic connects with a series of jabs again. Morrell 77, Kalajdzic 75.
Round 9: Kalazjdzic looks lively as he fires jabs and the right. Morrell lands with less frequency but more power. Kalazjdzic now connecting with both hands. Morrell comes alive late. Too late. Morrell 86, Kalazjdzic 85.
Round 10: Kalajdzic showing no fear against the harder puncher. Outpunching Morrell, who shows surprisingly little aggression in that round. Morrell 95, Kalajdzic 95.
Round 11: Morrell moving forward and lands an uppercut. Stalking and firing away with the aggression he showed earlier. But Morrell gets hit with a stinging right followed by a combination. Kalajdzic 105, Morrell 104.
Round 12: Morrell exhibits some flashy footwork, then starts to muscle in. Delivers the left with power. Morrell gets hit with a low blow and quickly shakes it off. Punishes Kalajdzic with a body shot and closes with flair. Morrell 114, Kalajdzic 114.
Andy Cruz def. Antonio Moran by KO
Cruz weathered Moran’s aggressive style and responded with power and precision during lightweight fight. The knockout punch came in the seventh round. The ropes saved Moran but the referee waved off the fight.
Cruz entered the fight with only three pro bouts against a veteran of 37 fights. But Cruz, a 28-year-old Cuban, showed why he’s such a promising prospect.
Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran, lightweight
(Scheduled for 10 rounds)
Round 1: Moran comes out firing with the jab. Slips while evading a Cruz jab but on his feet while Cruz turns more aggressive. But now it’s Moran stalking as the round comes to a close. Moran 10, Cruz 9.
Round 2: Moran aggressive again and walks into a left hand. Cruz scores with the jab and the two boxers are active early, and Cruz turns up the heat. Moran 19, Nelson 19.
Round 3: Moran charges forward, intent on taking the fight to Cruz despite opening himself up to Cruz’s effective counterpunching. Cruz delivers a stinging right to the head. Moran stands his ground and eats Cruz’s punches as a result. Cruz 29, Moran 28.
Round 4: Moran staying active, but it’s Cruz with the power and precision. Moran again stalking. Nails Cruz with a left hook and Cruz may be shaken. Moran 38, Cruz 38.
Round 5: Cruz looks solid despite absorbing a hard shot at the end of the fourth round. But Moran punishes Cruz with body shots. Impressive exchanges, both boxers flashing power. Cruz 48, Moran 47.
Round 6: Moran comes out on the attack, absorbing Cruz’s punches and moving forward as he unleashes his own. Cruz finds his range again and is moving forward. Cruz 58, Moran 56.
Round 7: Moran still showing aggression. But Cruz rocks Moran with a jab, and Moran somehow stays on his feet. Cruz could smell blood. Cruz delivers a massive right. The ropes save Moran, but it’s over! The referee stops the fight. Cruz by KO.
Steven Nelson def. Marcos Ramon Vazquez by KO
Nelson, 36, looked focused in scoring a fifth-round TKO victory over Vazquez. He dropped Vazquez twice in the third round and finished him off in the fifth.
Nelson improved to 20-0 and Vazquez fell to 20-1-1.
(Scheduled for 10 rounds)
Round 1: Nelson comes out wearing sagging boxing trunks that reveal boxer shorts. Fashion statement? No statement yet with his fists. But he’s stalking and picking up steam as the round ends. Nelson 10, Vazquez 9.
Round 2: Vazquez shows more aggressiveness and delivers a couple of lefts, but Nelson fires back with body shots. Competitive round, but Nelson still the aggressor. Vazquez finishes strong, landing a couple of lefts. Nelson 19, Vasquez 19.
Round 3: Nelson still the aggressor, but Vazquez responds with effective counterpunching. That left is stinging. But here comes Nelson, cornering Vazquez and dropping him. But the referee calls it a head butt and waves it off. (That’s overruled by video replay after the round.) Now he’s down again but beats the count. Vazquez survives the round – barely. Nelson 29, Vazquez 26.
Round 4: Vazquez looks fairly steady on his feet despite the two knockdowns. But here comes Nelson, stuffing him in a corner and unloading. Delivers a huge uppercut. The onslaught is on. Nelson 39, Vazquez 35.
Round 5: Nelson showboating a bit as he fires the right, and he drops Vazquez a third time! And it’s over! It’s Nelson by TKO!
Ziyad Almaayouf and Michael Bulik fight to majority draw
Bulik, who entered the fight with a 6-7 record and having lost five in a row, was laughing in the ring before the introductions. Maybe he knew something we didn’t before facing off with Ziyad Almaayouf, who entered with a 5-0 record.
Bulik fought Almaayouf to a majority draw.
One judge scored the six-round welterweight bout 59-55 in favor of Bulik and the other two scored it 57-57.
(Scheduled for six rounds)
Round 1: Almaayouf comes out aggressive with the jab and lands a solid right early. Bulik responds with jabs of his own. Almaayouf showing superior quickness and agility. Almaayouf 10, Bulik 9.
Round 2: Almaayouf comes out the aggressor, but Bulik not surrendering ground. Now Almaayouf smothering Bulik on the ropes before Bulik escapes. And here comes Bulik, landing a left despite some awkward style. Almaayouf 19, Bulik 19.
Round 3: This videotape isn’t going to the Hall of Fame, but it’s a competitive fight. Almaayouf charging forward and Bulik fights him off with counterpunching. They’re mixing it up now, with Almaayouf still dictating the action. Almaayouf 29, Bulik 28.
Round 4: More of the same, Almaayouf aggressive and Bulik fighting him off. Almaayouf landing combinations now. Almaayouf digging into the body, then draws blood from Bulik’s nose. Almaayouf 39, Bulik 37.
Round 5: Bulik winning exchanges and draws blood from Almaayouf’s nose. Almaayouf’s absorbing too many left hands. Almaayouf loses mouthpiece for the second time in the fight. May be trying to buy time. Almaayouf 48, Bulik 47.
Round 6: Boxers slugging away, clearly knowing the outcome’s hanging in the balance. Fists flying as the end of the round nears and the tanks empty. Almaayouf leaking blood from his mouth and nose as the fight ends. Almaayouf 58, Bulik 56.
Terence Crawford eyeing Canelo Alvarez
Crawford is moving up to 154 pounds for the fight against Israil Madrimov and he’ll gladly beef up by another 14 pounds. That would get him to 168, where he’ll likely need to be to lure Canelo Alvarez into the ring.
“That would be the legacy defining fight to take me to one of the greats of all time,’’ Crawford told DAZN.
Crawford started his pro career at 135 pounds and tonight has a chance to win a world title at a fourth different weight division.
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov full fight card
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov, super welterweight
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweight
Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole, heavyweight
Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela, super lightweight
David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic, light heavyweight
Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran, lightweight
Steven Nelson vs. Marcos Ramon Vazquez, super middleweight
Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Michal Bulik, welterweight
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov fight time
The PPV card starts at 4:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov
The fight is available on DAZN for $79.99 plus a one-month subscription.
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov predictions
Tom Gray, The Sporting News: Because Madrimov is not a household name, many fans and experts will write him off. That’s a mistake because this is a tougher challenge for Crawford than Errol Spence, stylistically and physically, so don’t be looking for an early night. Prediction: Crawford by unanimous decision.
Brent Brookhouse, CBS Sports: Madrimov likely will have some success at times in the early rounds before Crawford locks in his plan of attack and takes over. Once Crawford gets rolling, it’s nearly impossible to stop that momentum. Prediction: Crawford by TKO in Round 8.
Norman Frauenheim, The Ring: There’s a lot to like about Israil Madrimov, a versatile fighter who celebrates victories with a back flip. But there’ll be no back flip this time, not against Crawford. Prediction: Crawford, TKO in Round 11.
Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports: Madrimov gets off to a strong start. And finishes strong, too. Prediction: Madrimov by unanimous decision.
36
How old is Israil Madrimov?
29
Terence Crawford boxing record
40-0 with 31 KOs
Israil Madrimov boxing record
10-0-1 with 7 KOs
Did Terence Crawford compete at the Olympics?
He lost in the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials despite being the No. 1 ranked amateur lightweight in the United States at the time.
Will Terence Crawford walk out with Eminem?
Eminem walked out Crawford for his fight against Errol Spence Jr. last year. Considering Crawford demolished Spencer and won by TKO, don’t be surprised to see Eminem again Saturday night.
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov odds
- DraftKings: Crawford -700 favorite, Madrimov +475 underdog
- FuelDuel: Crawford -770, Madrimov +480
- BETMGM: Crawford -700, Madrimov +425
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