Crawford And Hearn Spar On Social Media Over Madrimov Fight

Terence Crawford and promoter Eddie Hearn exchanged messages on social media today, discussing Crawford’s victory over Israil Madrimov last weekend.

Hearn let the victorious Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) know how surprised he was at how easily the still-green former WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) could hit him with his right hands all night in their main event clash at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Eddie’s Not Wrong, Though

Eddie isn’t lying. Madrimov was hitting Crawford at will with his right. Crawford’s victory was badly tarnished because fans collectively viewed it as a loss.

Hearn wasn’t the only one who noticed how easily Madrimov tagged Crawford with straight right hands. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh canceled his plans to put a fight together between Crawford and Canelo Alvarez after that performance by the Nebraska native. Turki saw what everyone did.

Crawford can’t beat Canelo looking like that and would be taken out of the ring on a platter if he fought the Mexican star.

Crawford, 36, won the fight by a close twelve-round unanimous decision, but it was not an impressive or conclusive victory. Many fans had Madrimov winning, and the ones who felt Crawford won agreed that he looked lackluster. He’d lost a step and didn’t possess the power at 154 that he had fighting at 147, 140, or 135.

Terence Crawford: “What’s wrong, Eddie?

Eddie Hearn: “Was simply mesmerized by how easy Madrimov hit you with the right hand all night. In just his 11th pro fight.”

Hearn just roasted Crawford with that comment, and he’s right. Madrimov literally couldn’t miss Crawford with his right hand. The 36-year-old Crawford looked confused by Madrimov’s feints and was always wide open for the rights. Crawford finally met his match after 16 years in the game.

“I think he’s going to be looking for the big names and the big fights,” said Eddie Hearn to the media, on whether Terence Crawford will choose to fight a rematch with Israil Madrimov to clear up the controversy.

“Madrimov’s profile went to another level, and I think he can be in some massive fights at 154. We’re having a conversation and debate about who won the fight. The kid [Madrimov] has had ten fights. I think he’s an exceptional fighter.