Followers started scrambling as soon as the identify Israil Madrimov popped up on their screens. The 29-year-old might maintain the WBA junior middleweight title, however he’s quiet, unassuming, and humble, and he prefers to remain out of the highlight. Couple these under-the-radar parts with simply 11 professional fights, and it was pretty troublesome for even hardcore followers to search out correct movie on him.
Born in Uzbekistan, Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) was given the decision a couple of quick months in the past. On the opposite line had been representatives of Terence Crawford. After a couple of hassle-free weeks of negotiations, the 2 agreed to a title battle that may formally happen on August third in Los Angeles.
Madrimov is aware of he’s an underdog. It’s a job he’s come to just accept. However he doesn’t plan on merely sitting again and having fun with the trip whereas Crawford rips away his title. As an alternative, he expects to turn into the primary man at hand the pound-for-pound star a loss on his file.
Vergil Ortiz Jr., a extremely ranked 154-pound contender in his personal proper, didn’t really feel the necessity to place Madrimov’s identify within the search bar on YouTube and perform a little research. Having spent plenty of sparring classes collectively, Ortiz believes he is aware of Madrimov in and out.
Total, the present WBA belt holder is sweet. Perhaps excellent. However nice? That’s reserved for under Crawford.
“Right here’s the factor, and it’s not a diss to him,” defined Ortiz to Battle Hub TV when requested to make a prediction. “I believe he’s a superb fighter. He’s athletic, he hits arduous, and he’s good, however Crawford’s only a completely different beast.”
Crawford, shortly, will probably be making his 154-pound debut after absolutely unifying the welterweight division. Preventing larger and stronger males is one thing that he’ll should get used to. Nevertheless, whereas some query whether or not or not Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) has the body to take that type of pounding, Ortiz is absolutely satisfied that he gained’t have many points in his new weight class. Until, in fact, Crawford runs into one fighter specifically.
“I don’t suppose anybody, besides me, at 154 can beat him.”
