ARGUABLY the greatest boxer on planet earth aims to reclaim his #1 spot at the summit of the sport’s fantasy pound-for-pound list this weekend by winning a world title in a fourth weight division.

Terence Crawford, 36, challenges light-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov, 29, for two of the belts at 154lb as a stepping stone towards the biggest fight in the ring.

With Saudi Arabia now financing pugilism at the highest level, main man Turki Alalshikh has spoken about his desire to make Crawford versus Canelo Alvarez in the future, but first he has to bring both champions closer together weight-wise.

With Canelo currently reigning undisputed at 168lb, Crawford has three weight divisions to scale, starting this weekend, to make the fight a reality.

KING CRAWFORD

Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford captured his first world title in Glasgow in 2014, outscoring local hero Ricky Burns over 12 rounds.

Since he’s won 17 consecutive world title fights, claiming all four world titles and undisputed status up at both super-lightweight and welterweight in the process.

The switch-hitting southpaw sensation from Omaha, Nebraska is unbeaten in 40 fights with 31 knockouts and aims to add to his legacy this weekend in Los Angeles.

Inactivity is a problem, however, with Crawford boxing just once a year since 2020, with his last fight 13 months ago, albeit a dominant, legacy defining ninth round TKO over US rival Errol Spence.

Incidentally, that was also Bud’s 11th consecutive stoppage victory, proving that his punching power has absolutely moved up through the weights with him.

 

THE DREAM

Madrimov, 10-0-1, may have had fwer professional fights than Crawford has had world title fights, but he’s been very active after turning pro at the end of 2018.

The former Uzbekistan amateur star has seven knockouts in his 10 wins, whilst the sole draw was a result of an accidental head clash in the opening rounds in London two years ago.

He captured the vacant world super-welterweight title with a fifth round TKO over then unbeaten Magomed Kurbanov in Saudi Arabia in March with his biggest and best performance to date.

However, he’s making a leap up in technical class taking on Crawford.

 

SIZE MATTERS

Madrimov is a career super-welter, 11st, but he’s only half an inch taller than Crawford and actually has a smaller reach; 68-inches to Crawford 74.

The California-based champion is naturally far heavier set though and has fought and won as big as 160lb. If he can close the space on Bud and work the body early, he could yet cause a significant upset.

Just like when Canelo moved up to light-heavyweight and was found out by a naturally bigger and equally as talented foe in Dmitry Bivol, Crawford is taking a risk by giving away genetic advantages.

But with his speed of hands, switch-hitting attacks and ferocious appetite for the finish, more likely is Crawford will take Madrimov to school until he gets frustrated and starts swinging for the fences.

That’s when I expect Crawford to do what he does best and use his pinpoint accuracy to force the standing stoppage.

---

Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.