Abass Baraou keen to face the ‘top operators’ at junior middleweight after watching Crawford-Madrimov

European junior middleweight champion, Abass Baraou, paid more attention than most to the latest instalment of Riyadh Season which saw Terence Crawford step up from 147lbs and box his way to a decision victory over Israil Madrimov to claim the WBA title. 

As well as being the EBU champion, Baraou occupies the No. 1 spot in the WBA rankings and should eventually find himself in line for a shot at Crawford’s newly won prize. Of course, politics, promotional ties and dollar bills complicate matters and the German will need to wait to find out which direction Crawford chooses to move in before making any plans for his first world title shot.

“It was a good fight. A very technical fight. It was a close one as well,” Baraou, 16-1 (9 KOs), said. “I had Madrimov leading as he made a lot of pressure and was dominant throughout the fight but the last couple of rounds he gave it away. I would give it a draw or a split decision at least. The scorecards were crazy but that’s boxing.

“It’s my division and I’m very close to those kind of fights. That’s the level I want to fight at. They are both top operators and they gave a great display of boxing on Saturday night.”

Crawford is a truly great fighter and although his beating Madrimov was taken for granted in some quarters, the result is one of the best of his outstanding career. That the close, competitive manner of his victory is a bigger talking point than the fact that he beat an excellent champion to become a four-weight world champion shows how much is expected of him. 

Still, he didn’t have things his own way. Crawford started out as a lightweight and Madrimov’s natural size and technical ability did provide him with more issues than he has encountered for some time. Baraou feels that Madrimov may be a little disappointed and feel that he let a massive opportunity slip through his fingers. 

“I think so and he was also very close to it. He hit Terence very clean a lot of times and I feel like in a rematch he would definitely go more in because the big name meant that he gave a bit of respect and made him careful but, of course, everybody wants to win against a top guy,” he said.

“I think he [Crawford] felt the weight difference this time. I could tell. Madrimov is a very big guy and also technical and you could see him struggling with it and not really coming out of himself. That’s why I think Madrimov was very dominant. In the last couple of rounds Terence was active and that’s what gave the fight away.”

Although Baraou found the fight interesting, it didn’t act as a confidence booster. 

“No, I don’t need that. Every opponent is different and I know I’m a problem myself. I know I will have to see a top operator myself and deal with that and those kind of fights motivate me to bring the best version of myself. If I get those kind of fights I think I will surprise myself as well.”

Baraou may have to wait a little longer for his shot but he is happy to be involved in the conversation. Those who have spent time working with the 29-year-old have long spoken about his potential but a decision defeat to Jack Culcay in 2020 ground his momentum to a halt. Beating Sam Eggington to win the European title earlier this year changed the trajectory of Baraou’s career. He is now represented by Wasserman and his title winning thriller with Eggington and subsequent defense against Macaulay McGowan have both been shown live on Channel 5.

“I’m very happy. I feel like my time is about to come. That moment will come when I can really show what I’m made of and I’m very excited for this opportunity. I think good fights will present themselves very soon,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to making big fights with my position at number one in the WBA. Good fights, like title shots or fighting one of the top guys in the top five with every organization. I think it’s just a matter of time, which chances I get and what opportunities present themselves. I’m just being patient and chasing the big fights.”

Holding a prestigious title does open a fighter up to challenges from all directions and while he is looking up the rankings at fighters like Crawford and Madrimov, he has an ambitious group of fighters nipping at his heels. Just this weekend, the unbeaten Stephen McKenna, 15-0 (14 KOs), dragged himself off the canvas to win an insane three-round war with Joe Laws and Baraou’s name was mentioned during post fight interviews. McKenna isn’t on Baraou’s radar at the moment but after years on the outskirts of the sport, he quite enjoys being a marked man. 

“No disrespect to Stephen McKenna, I don’t know him,” Baraou said. “If he’s a good operator and it’s an interesting fight I will take anything. I’m willing to fight anyone and beat anyone on the way to the top. I haven’t heard of it but it’s cool that my name is being mentioned. I think [it’s because] I have the European title and a lot of people want that as well but I can tell you all that it isn’t an easy way to the European title, with me as the champion.”

This weekend, Baraou’s attention will switch back across the Atlantic and to the potentially explosive WBC Interim title fight between Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz. 

“I think it’s a tough fight and also two of the top guys. Bohachuk is very strong and Ortiz is as well and also very skilful. I’m interested in that fight as well and will keep an eye on it and see what I have to deal with if the opportunity comes,” he said.

“I have no idea [who will win]. I will tune in, watch it and be excited. It’s boxing. Anything can happen. I’ll leave it open and surprise myself.”