Terence Crawford says he feels robust at 154 forward of his combat towards WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on Saturday dwell on DAZN.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is transferring up seven kilos from 147 to 154, seeking to dethrone the unbeaten Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in his first combat within the division, after which probably transfer up once more.
Madrimov may have one thing to say about whether or not Crawford strikes ahead together with his profession on Saturday evening. He plans on giving the newcomer a impolite welcome by beating him and altering his imaginative and prescient of utilizing their combat as a launching pad for a conflict towards Canelo Alvarez at 168.
Crawford says he’s not overlooking Madrimov, however all through the promotion of their combat, he’s made it identified that he needs Canelo subsequent. Regardless of how Crawford needs to spin that, that’s a sign that he’s trying previous Madrimov and viewing him as a stepping stone.
Comparisons to Jeff Horn
Some imagine that Madrimov is similar to Jeff Horn, a fighter Crawford knocked out within the ninth spherical in June 2018. Horn is far quicker than Madrimov however lacks his energy.
Crawford had extra pace again then, and he’s slowed down rather a lot within the final six years. He’s nonetheless quick, however not like when he fought Horn six years in the past.
Madrimov could have issues with Crawford if he fails to harm him together with his photographs as a result of he can’t match his pace and mixture punching. Crawford was stronger than Horn and muscled him together with his wrestling within the clinch.
It may be tough for him to do this towards Madrimov as a result of he’s extra highly effective than Horn was then.
“I really feel nice, I really feel robust, and I really feel motivated. I’m simply able to exit right here and do my factor,” stated Terence Crawford to Struggle Hub TV, discussing his combat towards Israil Madrimov on Saturday evening.
Crawford appeared close to weight in the present day and confirmed no indicators of being drained. It must be attention-grabbing to see if he can retain his pace from 147 for this combat.
“I wasn’t heated. Eddie was simply throwing rocks and simply saying something that involves his thoughts,” stated Crawford about Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn getting him agitated throughout his assembly on Monday on the BMO Stadium with Madrimov current.
“He’s an awesome fighter. He’s robust, he’s hungry, he’s sturdy, and he’s athletic,” stated Crawford about Madrimov. He’s acquired numerous expertise within the novice rankings, however as you possibly can see, he’s a champion with solely 11 fights, and that tells you numerous about his abilities proper now.
If Crawford can deal with Madrimov’s energy, he ought to win this combat handily. If he needs the Canelo combat, a knockout could be his finest guess. It’s not a good suggestion for Crawford to field and play it secure towards Madrimov as a result of Canelo is not going to need to combat somebody who will give him flashbacks to his combat towards Floyd Mayweather Jr. a decade in the past.
“I’m solely fearful about one individual, and that’s Israil. I’m not overlooking this man. It’s a troublesome opponent. It’s going to be robust come Saturday. I’m not overlooking anyone proper now or fearful about anyone,” stated Crawford.
Terence was requested about his ideas on Errol Spence probably retiring. He hasn’t fought in a yr since his loss to Crawford, and followers have speculated that he may cling up his gloves.
“We all know he’s able to numerous issues, however we’re not going to miss something, and that’s why we put together the way in which we put together and concentrate on him the way in which we targeted on,” stated Crawford about Madrimov.
For Madrimov to have an opportunity of profitable, he can’t miss together with his photographs like he did in his final couple of fights. He wings photographs, a lot of that are in need of the mark, leaving him open to being countered. Madrimov acquired away with this towards Magomed Kurbanov and Raphael Igbokwe as a result of they lacked the abilities to make him pay.
“I’ve at all times sparred greater guys. I’ve by no means sparred with guys my measurement. So, that’s nothing. Nope,” stated Crawford on whether or not combating at tremendous middleweight could be an issue for him.
Crawford must be wonderful with being the smaller man towards Madrimov as a result of he’s going through a gradual fighter that may’t give him issues together with his measurement the way in which a faster fighter would. If Crawford had been to maneuver as much as 175 and tackle Dmitry Bivol or David Benavidez, he’d have issues.
