BY BOXING HIT STAFF-
In a tightly contested battle, Terence Crawford managed to secure his fourth division world title by defeating WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov in a 12-round unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight in favor of Crawford with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113. Despite the victory, the fight was perceived as lackluster by fans, with boos ringing out due to the lack of action in the earlier rounds.
Madrimov initially had the upper hand in the early rounds, showcasing cleaner and harder shots. However, Crawford came back strong in the second half of the fight, displaying his aggression and edging several rounds. Both fighters sustained minor injuries, with Crawford sporting a swollen right eye and Madrimov a bruise under his left eye. It was a defensive battle throughout, with neither fighter being hurt or knocked down.
After the decision was announced, Madrimov expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome, believing he deserved the win. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, also voiced his agreement, labeling the result as a robbery. The fight was extremely close and could have gone either way, leading to understandable frustration from the Madrimov camp.
The victory for Crawford sets up the potential for a future showdown with boxing sensation Canelo Alvarez. However, Crawford’s defensive performance in this fight might not be enough to entice Canelo into agreeing to the matchup. Madrimov, with his physical attributes and fighting style, was likened to a stand-in for Canelo during the bout.
While Terence Crawford emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against Israil Madrimov, the decision was met with controversy and dissatisfaction. The defensive nature of the fight and the lack of decisive action may have implications for Crawford’s future matchups, particularly in his pursuit of a fight with Canelo Alvarez. The boxing world eagerly awaits what lies ahead for these talented fighters.
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