Terence Crawford says he feels robust at 154 forward of his struggle towards WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on Saturday reside on DAZN.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is shifting up seven kilos from 147 to 154, trying to dethrone the unbeaten Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in his first struggle within the division, after which doubtlessly transfer up once more.
Madrimov can 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 struggle 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 struggle, he’s made it identified that he desires Canelo subsequent. Regardless of how Crawford desires 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 consider that Madrimov is an identical 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 velocity 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 might have issues with Crawford if he fails to harm him together with his pictures as a result of he can’t match his velocity 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 Combat Hub TV, discussing his struggle towards Israil Madrimov on Saturday evening.
Crawford appeared close to weight at the moment and confirmed no indicators of being drained. It ought to be fascinating to see if he can retain his velocity from 147 for this struggle.
“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 a terrific fighter. He’s powerful, he’s hungry, he’s sturdy, and he’s athletic,” stated Crawford about Madrimov. He’s obtained a number of expertise within the newbie rankings, however as you’ll be able to see, he’s a champion with solely 11 fights, and that tells you a large number about his abilities proper now.
If Crawford can deal with Madrimov’s energy, he ought to win this struggle handily. If he desires the Canelo struggle, a knockout can be his finest wager. It’s not a good suggestion for Crawford to field and play it protected towards Madrimov as a result of Canelo won’t need to struggle somebody who will give him flashbacks to his struggle towards Floyd Mayweather Jr. a decade in the past.
“I’m solely anxious about one particular person, and that’s Israil. I’m not overlooking this man. It’s a tricky opponent. It’s going to be powerful come Saturday. I’m not overlooking anyone proper now or anxious about anyone,” stated Crawford.
Terence was requested about his ideas on Errol Spence doubtlessly retiring. He hasn’t fought in a yr since his loss to Crawford, and followers have speculated that he might hold up his gloves.
“We all know he’s able to a number of issues, however we’re not going to miss something, and that’s why we put together the best way we put together and give attention to him the best way we centered on,” stated Crawford about Madrimov.
For Madrimov to have an opportunity of profitable, he can’t miss together with his pictures like he did in his final couple of fights. He wings pictures, lots of that are wanting the mark, leaving him open to being countered. Madrimov obtained away with this towards Magomed Kurbanov and Raphael Igbokwe as a result of they lacked the abilities to make him pay.
“I’ve all the time sparred greater guys. I’ve by no means sparred with guys my measurement. So, that’s nothing. Nope,” stated Crawford on whether or not preventing at tremendous middleweight can be an issue for him.
Crawford ought to be positive with being the smaller man towards Madrimov as a result of he’s dealing with a sluggish fighter that may’t give him issues together with his measurement the best way 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
