Big-fight preview: Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov

Terence Crawford is the epitome of a great “four-belt era” fighter. He’s gustily collected nine alphabet straps thus far in 18 world-title fights (all wins; 15 by KO) across three weight classes. Some, however, might conclude that if you take those belts away from his record, and only examine the quality of opposition, then it’s lacking when it comes to what’s required to establish “all-time” greatness. 

That’s a cynical and wholly inaccurate view, however. One voiced by those boxing hipsters, and I’m sure you know the type, who reel off the names and resumes of legends past while bemoaning those who lead the way today.  

It’s not Crawford’s fault that he operates in an era when the only thing at the end of boxing’s yellow brick road is undisputed status, a destination “Bud” has twice reached. To get there, pit stops at the doors of inferior opposition are an inevitable by-product of keeping multiple sanctioning bodies simultaneously happy; for every unification contest there is a mandatory assignment that must be undertaken to appease the alphabets and even the winning of titles in today’s era can occur against foes who came across the belts somewhat fortuitously. Furthermore, when contrasting today’s best with yesterday’s heroes, one must also remember how comparatively infrequently the current crop go into battle. 

In short, don’t hate the player.

The fairest way to judge a fighter’s place in history is to first judge their standing in their own time – very simply because it’s the only barometer they can in any way control. And Crawford, the most spiteful of switch-hitters, proved himself to be the best fighter of his era at lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight, carving his own Hall of Fame plaque while standing tall as the finest and most complete fighter in the entire sport. 

On Saturday night the southpaw aims to win his 10th sanctioning body belt in a fourth division when he challenges the WBA junior-middleweight boss Israil Madrimov. Whether this turns out to be just another notch on the bed post, like title-winning efforts over Thomas Dulorme and Jeff Horn might now be deemed, or something more meaningful – well, it’s too early to say.

At 10-0-1 (7 KOs) Madrimov is a relative pup in elite circles, and it can be argued that the 29-year-old Uzbek is not even at that level yet. Whether Crawford wins easy or hard, or even loses, we’ll need to see more from Madrimov to judge exactly what he represents for Bud’s legacy. Should he go on to craft an impressive career of his own, for example, then any victory over him would certainly improve with age. However, should a defeat trigger the beginning of the end for Madrimov – much like the losses Crawford inflicted upon Dulorme and Horn – this contest may ultimately count for very little.

An accomplished amateur whose trajectory in the professional ranks has been befittingly steep, the Indio, California-based fighter claimed his belt with an impressive knockout of Magomed Kurbanov in March. Though a well-matched scrap, few would have placed either Madrimov or Kurbanov among the top three in the 154lbs division going into their scrap for a vacant “world” title.

Madrimov has been matched tough for an up-and-comer, though victories over Kurbanov and Michel Soro are likely the best on his record and make this fight with Crawford a gargantuan leap in class – even though it’s Crawford taking the jump up in weight. For now, Madrimov is more potential than substance.

A tidy, well-educated pressure fighter with pop in both mitts, Madrimov is likely to start quickly and will need to if he’s to have any chance of scoring a momentous upset. And if we’re going to attempt to craft a scenario where Crawford loses, which is frankly akin to writing a fairy tale, then the fact that the Nebraskan tends to take his time in the early rounds is the only place to start. 

In three of his last four bouts, against Errol Spence Jr, Shawn Porter and Kell Brook, Crawford was adjudged the loser of the opening round by at least two of the three judges. Taking the theme further, Brook was even up on two cards after three rounds and Porter was in touching distance on all three after nine. 

Yet to say he’s a slow starter might be stretching the truth. Crawford – a true generational talent – tends to operate in cruise control until he decides, or is told, to put the pedal to the metal. Edging ahead of Crawford is one thing but winning the race has thus far proved all but impossible. 

A more revealing stat is this – his last eight fights have all been won by KO. Make no mistake, Crawford is a savage finisher when in the mood (just ask those light-heavyweights and heavyweights he’s reportedly been laying out in sparring). He’s also adept at beating unbeaten fighters like Andrey Klimov, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Viktor Postol, Julius Indongo, Horn, Jose Benavidez Jr, Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Spence Jr.

Another straw to clutch when making a case for Madrimov is the weight factor. This will be Crawford’s first fight at 154lbs – some 19lbs north of the lightweight class in which his title charge began. Several great fighters have successfully moved from the lower weight classes to have success at junior middle but some – like Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather and Pernell Whitaker – quickly realised they were more effective down at welter. That is a scenario that could occur here, for there is no guarantee that the Crawford who dominated at 147 will exist in the same way at 154. Even so, the prospect of him finding the extra seven pounds so uncomfortable that he’s outgunned by Madrimov (taller than the 5’8” Crawford by half an inch) is hard to visualize.  

Another factor going “against” Crawford is simple to dismiss. Though he’s been inactive since his majestic trouncing of Spence Jr last July, the 13-month layoff is nothing new. Since December 2019, the average length of time he’s spent out of the ring between fights is 11 months. What can’t be brushed off so easily, however, is the possibility that Crawford might suddenly slow down. After all, he’s only one month away from turning 37, and the longer he fights the more inevitable that fade becomes. We may well see evidence of it on Saturday at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.  

More likely, however, is we get to witness more of what we’ve grown accustomed to. Madrimov – who will enjoy a four-inch advantage in reach – is tough and strong and might surprise the favourite with his strength, particularly when the action strays in close. Though he can win rounds, he’s yet to prove he’s defensively cute and the ace counter-punching of Crawford, as he zips between stances and chooses the opportune moments to strike, will ultimately befuddle the younger man.

It’s pure guesswork as to how Crawford wins, because, one, we don’t know if his punches will carry the same power at junior middle and, two, we have no idea how sturdy Madrimov’s chin will prove to be under fire. Yet the feeling is that the old master’s dominance in the second half will become so complete that a stoppage – perhaps even instigated by the Uzbek’s corner – will occur.

Afterwards, there should be no doubt that we’re not only witnessing one of the best fighters of his own time, but one of the best of them all.