Jul 02 2024 News

Crawford’s Future: Canelo or Catastrophe?

Terence Crawford is set to challenge Israil Madrimov for his 154-pound belt on August 3rd in Los Angeles. Many fans and experts, including Eddie Hearn, believe this could be Crawford's toughest fight yet. Hearn, Madrimov's promoter, warned that Crawford and his team might be making the mistake of looking past Madrimov as they anticipate a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez. Hearn, speaking with Fight Hub, emphasized Madrimov’s strengths, saying, "He’s extremely tough and hits very hard. And it's like, 'Canelo after this.' Don’t get me wrong, Crawford is the favorite in this fight, but Madrimov is a very, very tough fight." Hearn praised Madrimov’s movement, fitness, strength, and punching power, suggesting that Crawford might be underestimating him. Crawford, with an undefeated record of 40-0 (31 KOs), is daring to achieve even greater heights by moving up to a fourth weight class. His most challenging fight to date was against Yuriorkis Gamboa ten years ago, where he was briefly rocked before securing a stoppage. Unlike Gamboa, Madrimov, 10-0-1 (7 KOs), will be the bigger man in the ring, making this match-up even more intriguing. This fight is not one that Crawford needed to take, and Madrimov, being the defending champion, has everything to gain. Should Crawford win and look impressive, the likelihood of a mega-fight with Canelo becomes more tangible, with Turki Alalshikh possibly facilitating the match due to Canelo’s demands. Hearn believes that Crawford, now 36 years old, may be underestimating the challenge Madrimov presents. "I think they’re underestimating him," Hearn stated. "He’s got great movement, he’s a fit, strong guy in his prime, and he punches very hard, and that’s not an easy fight." The potential for a Crawford vs. Canelo fight hinges on Crawford's performance against Madrimov. If Crawford succeeds, fans can expect Alalshikh to push for the super fight. However, Father Time remains undefeated, and even the great Crawford may eventually slow down. #TerenceCrawford #IsrailMadrimov #CaneloAlvarez #EddieHearn #FightHubTV #Boxing #PoundForPound #TurkiAlalshikh #BoxingNews #FatherTime