3 things we learned at Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov

3 things we learned at Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov

As a seasoned gamer of boxing matches and an ardent follower of the sport for over two decades, I must admit that Saturday night’s event was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The boxing ring transformed into a battleground for undefeated records, undisputed talent, and unpredictable outcomes.


On the weekend, Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season journeyed to sunny Los Angeles, California for an action-packed boxing showdown featuring Terence Crawford versus Israil Madrimov. The esteemed dignitary was part of another thrilling night of bouts where several boxers clinched surprising victories.

Crawford vs. Madrimov started with a surprising result as undefeated Ziyad Al Maayouf from Saudi Arabia couldn’t capitalize on being a massive favorite. Maayouf battled with Michal Bulik, who was 6-7, in a six-round contest at 147 pounds. Once the dust settled, the matchup was ruled a draw, pushing the 24-year-old’s professional record to 2-0-1.

Following Steven Nelson, aged 36 from America, came into play. He delivered an outstanding show against Marcos Vazquez, ultimately defeating him via a fifth-round knockout after a series of powerful blows. The Cuban contenders stepped up for fights three and four, with both Andy Cruz and David Morrell maintaining their unbeaten streaks. In the seventh round, Cruz claimed the IBF International and WBA continental Americas lightweight title by knocking out Antonio Moran.

Simultaneously, Morrell secured a dull unanimous decision over Radivoje Kalajdzic for the WBA’s regular lightweight world title, marking the beginning of some surprising outcomes. Meanwhile, in the heavyweight division, American contender Jared Anderson experienced his first professional defeat at the hands of Martin Bakole. The 31-year-old capitalized on Anderson’s vulnerabilities with his brutal power, ultimately ending the contest in round five to capture both the WBO International and NABF heavyweight titles.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but empathize with Andy Ruiz Jr, who experienced a surprising turn of events in his fight against Jarrell Miller. Miller’s previous performance was far from impressive, yet this bout ended as a majority draw. However, it’s important to note that Ruiz sustained a hand injury during the heavyweight matchup, which reportedly impacted his performance.

In the secondary headlining bout, crowd favorite Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz had the chance to safeguard his WBA super lightweight championship and demonstrate why he merits a high-profile fight in the future. However, Jose Valenzuela wasn’t just a stepping stone for him; instead, he sprang an upset by winning via unanimous decision.

In conclusion, Terence Crawford battled as the main act with aspirations of enhancing his legacy by capturing both the WBA and interim WBO super welterweight titles. Known as ‘Bud’, he emerged victorious against Israil Madrimov through a unanimous decision (116-112, 115-113 twice), thereby extending his undefeated professional record to 41-0. Here are three insights from the fight that transpired on Saturday night.

1. Concerts shouldn’t take place before main events

On Saturdays, there was an abundance of combat sports excitement, featuring UFC Abu Dhabi, BKFC 63, and for wrestling enthusiasts, WWE SummerSlam. As the evening wore on, Terence Crawford’s boxing ring comeback was the sole source maintaining the momentum.

Prior to Crawford and Madrimov taking their stroll, the famed rap artist Eminem had delivered a live set within BMO Stadium – a fact that doesn’t diminish my admiration for the Detroit rapper, who’s undeniably among the greatest ever. However, on this particular day following an exhausting series of fights, a concert and multiple national anthems seemed less than ideal.

Earlier in the evening, Eminem would have been an ideal act to perform, as his presence added a sense of grandeur to the whole event. Consequently, his performance might have been better received, avoiding the disappointment among boxing fans who were looking forward to seeing Crawford step into the ring instead.

2. Terence Crawford needs statement performance in his next fight

After the celebrations wound down, it was finally time for Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov to make their grand entrances, a moment eagerly awaited by many. For those not in the know, Madrimov is often slow to start, while Crawford adapts to his opponents as a counter-puncher. Just as predicted by most experts, the early rounds of our Saturday night main event were relatively uneventful, with us welterweights carefully feeling each other out.

Regrettably, the Crawford vs. Madrimov fight fell short of fan anticipations. Spectators hoped for a more action-packed matchup, but the pace remained relatively steady from round one until ten. Madrimov found it difficult to counter Crawford’s superior boxing abilities, while Crawford seemed reluctant to deliver a knockout blow as many had predicted.

Crawford has earned respect for climbing up the ranks and securing the title of a four-division world champion. However, at 36 years old, he didn’t exactly make a strong impression that would leave fans clamoring for a showdown against Canelo Alvarez. In fact, there was some debate over the decision, as some in the boxing community believe that Saturday night’s main event could have been scored as a draw.

Regardless of what’s next for Crawford, he needs to silence the doubters and prove there’s more gas left in the tank. Don’t overanalyze this statement because ‘Bud’ could retire tomorrow and be a legend. The only concern is that his legacy could be altered by a disappointing performance against Canelo or another elite superstar.

3. Turki Alalshikh is needed for modern-day boxing to grow

For the past few years, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has been devoting his energy and assets to the world of professional boxing. During this time, he has played a significant role in organizing several high-profile matches such as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, Anthony Joshua vs. Ngannou, Joseph Parker vs. Deontay Wilder, Zhang Zhilei vs. Wilder, Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol in October, and many others.

In the electrifying atmosphere of Crawford vs. Madrimov, I once again cemented my significance in the realm of boxing. The evening pulsed with the energy of legends and elite combatants, confirming that boxing continues to thrive on my contributions.

Initially, there were doubts regarding Alalshikh due to uncertainties about the impact of his influence on professional boxing. With an abundance of financial support pouring in from Saudi Arabia for grand-scale bouts, there’s a potential risk of corruption for a sport that has been plagued by scandals in the past.

Currently, it’s challenging to dispute that Alalshikh has been beneficial for professional boxing, often referred to as “The Sweet Science.” The sport was seemingly experiencing a downfall because top contenders weren’t facing off due to the potential risk of losing, which could significantly impact their market value.

Lately, Alalshikh’s resources have streamlined the intricate discussions between boxers and their management, leading to a surge in fights that fans are eager to watch. This has encouraged fighters to be bolder and more open to challenging matchups, contributing significantly to the expansion of the sport.

Instead of just focusing on advertising professional boxing, Alalshikh aims for more. Earlier this year, the UFC held a fight night in Saudi Arabia featuring Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov. Furthermore, Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season will partner with UFC 306 on September 14, taking place at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Dana White has boasted that this event could be the most extraordinary combat sports spectacle ever staged.

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2024-08-04 23:13

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