Promoter Eddie Hearn says Israil Madrimov is “ice chilly” forward of tonight’s combat towards Terence Crawford on DAZN PPV.
Hearn states that WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) is able to ship Crawford all the way down to his first profession defeat, then transfer on in direction of a unification combat towards the opposite belt holders at 154.
Not like Crawford, Madrimov isn’t grasping and received’t look to maneuver as much as 168 to combat Canelo Alvarez. He’s content material to remain at junior middleweight and face the opposite champions to gather the belts.
Crawford’s Canelo Aspirations Might Survive Defeat
Crawford will seemingly nonetheless get the Canelo combat, even after shedding tonight. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is a fan of Crawford and needs to see him combat Canelo, however it might not matter if he backs into the match after a defeat.
At Friday’s weigh-in, you can see how highly effective Madrimov regarded in comparison with Crawford. His physique had Artur Beterbiev-type muscle groups, and he may very well be a nightmare for Crawford if he lands on him typically sufficient.
Madrimov’s final opponent, Magomed Kurbanov had extra energy than Crawford, and he was stopped in 5 rounds. That was a formidable efficiency from Madrimov.
“He seems nice. He seems like me with my pants on,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to Fighthype when requested how Terence Crawford seems at 154 for his combat towards Israil Madrimov. “It’s going to be a terrific combat.
“Madrimov is a tank, he’s a machine, and he’s prepared. We’ve an enormous problem, however we’re prepared. Madrimov is ice chilly. He’s not nervous within the slightest. No concern or nothing, however he’s up towards a pound-for-pound nice.”
Tonight, Madrimov may very well be 175 lbs by the point he enters the ring, and that’s a variety of weight that Crawford shall be coping with. He’s by no means fought anybody with that form of dimension or energy earlier than, and he may not be prepared.
“We’re glad to remain at 154. Combat [Vergil] Ortiz, combat Tim Tszyu, or combat the opposite champions, however we obtained an enormous job to do,” mentioned Hearn when requested if Madrimov want to transfer as much as 168 to combat Canelo Alvarez if he’s victorious towards Crawford.
It’s higher that Madrimov not try to go as much as 168 as a result of there are weight courses for a purpose, and there’s no level in him going up except the Mexican star invitations him.
If Canelo needs to combat Madrimov subsequent, he can invite him, and he’ll seemingly oblige him. However the worst factor Madrimov may do is begin begging or campaigning for the combat towards Alvarez, which some boxing followers consider Crawford has shamelessly been doing.
“Bud might preserve a few of that vitality that may work towards him towards this younger, hungry fighter in entrance of him,” mentioned Shawn Porter to DAZN Boxing about Crawford probably having issues if he conserves his energy towards Madrimov.
Madrimov’s Bodily Superiority Evident
Crawford will seemingly field Madrimov, holding and holding the motion on the surface all evening to maintain from getting taken out.
“Madrimov seems sturdy,” mentioned Ade Oladipo.
“You might inform his physique has muscle,” mentioned Porter about Madrimov.
“You might inform from their dimension, Madrimov is the larger fighter, and the fuller fighter,” mentioned Sergio Mora.
