Eddie Hearn Labels Israil Madrimov As One Of The Toughest Fights Of Terence Crawford’s Career

Promoter Eddie Hearn believes those who are quick to dismiss WBA junior middleweight title-holder Israil Madrimov should reconsider as he prepares to face pound-for-pound talent Terence Crawford. The bout is set for August 3 as part of a huge show at the BMO Arena in Los Angeles.

The 36-year-old Crawford (40-0, 36 KOs) has had a historic run in the sport. The former WBO lightweight title-holder moved up to junior welterweight to collect all four titles and then to welterweight where he repeated the feat. 

Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), 29 and from Khiva, Uzbekistan, but training in Indio, California, made a quick impression by knocking out veteran Vladimir Hernandez in his pro debut in 2018. However, Madrimov’s career momentum slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic until he won a title.

“Everybody you know, the media, the fans, His Excellency (Turki Alalshikh), stop talking about plans for Terence Crawford, because he’s going to come crumbling down on August 3,” said Hearn. “You’ve got a big, strong super welterweight that can punch and is in his prime.”

Madrimov won the vacant WBA junior middleweight title against Magomed Kurbanov via a fifth-round technical knockout in March. After the fight, Madrimov learned he would face one of the world’s best fighters. The man from Omaha, Nebraska who is moving up to 154lbs and will have been out of the ring for 13 months since beating Errol Spence Jr. last July.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a big favorite against Madrimov, but do not rule this guy out,” Hearn added.

The card, which will mark the first time that Riyadh Season has been involved in a US promotion, will also feature a WBA lightweight title fight between Isaac Cruz and Jose Valenzuela and, at heavyweight, Jared Anderson taking on Martin Bakole and Andy Ruiz Jr. tackling Jarrell Miller. 

“You’ve got one of the cards here, one of the nights of the year, one of the best cards I’ve ever seen in American boxing,” Hearn said. “This is a tough fight for Terence, one of the toughest fights of his career so far.”