1. Crawford’s Historic Victory in Los Angeles
Terence Crawford made history by becoming a four-weight world champion after a closely contested victory over Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles. With this win, Crawford improved his record to 41-0, 31 KOs, and added the WBA and WBO super welterweight titles to his impressive collection.
2. The Battle at BMO Stadium
In front of a sold-out crowd at BMO Stadium, Crawford faced a formidable opponent in Madrimov, who pushed him to the limit. Despite the tough challenge, Crawford’s experience and skill ultimately earned him the decision on the judges’ scorecards.
3. Compubox Highlights the Close Contest
The fight was a nail-biter, as CompuBox statistics revealed. The bout was extremely close, with only a few punches separating the two fighters in most rounds. Crawford threw 158 more punches than Madrimov, but this only resulted in an 11-punch difference in landed shots.
4. Judges’ Scores Reflect Tight Match
The judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in favor of Crawford. These scores reflected the competitive nature of the bout, with Crawford managing to edge out Madrimov in seven of the twelve rounds.
5. Crawford Reflects on the Tough Fight
In his post-fight interview, Crawford acknowledged Madrimov’s toughness and skill. He noted that Madrimov’s strategic approach made the fight challenging, but his own patience and calculated tactics allowed him to secure the victory.
6. Eyes on Canelo: Crawford’s Next Ambition
Following his win, Crawford expressed his desire to face Canelo Alvarez, one of the biggest names in boxing. While acknowledging Canelo’s current commitments, Crawford made it clear that he is ready for the challenge if the financial terms are right.
7. Madrimov’s Perspective: A Champion’s Discontent
Israil Madrimov and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, expressed their disappointment with the decision. Madrimov felt he had done enough to retain his title, citing his control over the rhythm and comfort in the ring. He believes he made a few mistakes but is confident in his ability to perform better in a potential rematch.
8. Eddie Hearn’s Take on the Controversial Decision
Eddie Hearn, who promotes Madrimov, echoed his fighter’s sentiments. He argued that the decision was too close to definitively dethrone Madrimov, and he remains proud of the Uzbek’s performance against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
9. Crawford’s Place in Boxing History
With this victory, Crawford solidifies his position at the top of the WBN Pound for Pound Rankings. His accomplishment of becoming a four-weight world champion further cements his legacy in boxing history.
10. The Future: Rematch or New Challenges?
While Madrimov and Hearn advocate for a rematch, it remains uncertain if Crawford will entertain the idea. With his sights set on a bigger challenge against Canelo Alvarez, the future of Crawford’s career promises excitement and potential historic bouts.
