Former WBC junior middleweight champion Brian Mendoza disagrees with the naysayers and fans who are writing off Israel Madrimov's chances of successfully defending his WBA junior middleweight title against Terence Crawford on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Mendoza thinks it's a mistake to think Crawford (40-0, 31 KKOs) will have an easy time against Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs). Going to 154 and fighting a big puncher like Madrimov could be a problem for Crawford. He doesn't fight at this weight and he's not used to getting hit the way this guy throws.
The Reds may still be basing their predictions on what Crawford did in his last fight against Errol Spence Jr. last year and they believe he will do the same against Madrimov. Plus, he doesn't have Spence's reputation and hasn't reached nearly as far.
“I think so, but Madrimov, I think they wrote him up a lot,” said Brian Mendoza on Sean Zittel's YouTube channel about the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov on August 3. “The possibilities are crazy. I don't think the odds should be that far out there. “
Why Are There Differences of Opinion?
It is common for fans and media to list different fights that they are not used to seeing. If Crawford hasn't lost anything in his game since his last fight last year, and if his strength reaches 154, he has a chance to win. Madrimov's fights have not been shown on network television in the US, so he is unknown to Americans.
“Madrimov is a very strong fighter. He's coming for it. He will come to defend his title. He still has his title. That's what Crawford will have to take from himself,” said Mendoza.
Crawford's Difficult Puzzle
Madrimov's striking power, striking ability, youth, and enigmatic style will be a challenge for Crawford to overcome in this fight. If Crawford thinks he's facing another Errol Spence, he could be in for a big shock on August 3rd.
“So, I'm leaning towards Crawford, but I don't understand how people look at Madrimov at that level because I think it will be very difficult in the Spence fight,” said Mendoza.
People trust Madrimov because many have never seen him fight, and he has never faced Crawford's level. The fans don't know him.
Also, they have seen Crawford fight many times in the past and watched how good he looks. However, Crawford has never fought someone as talented as Madrimov, and that could be a problem, given his age and 13 months of inactivity.
“The habit you did. So, even though you say, 'I'll take it seriously. I will not drop my hand.' It's a habit he made for years,” Mendoza said of Madrimov letting go of his lead hand during the fight.
Madrimov's habit of fighting with the lead hand down won't be his biggest problem against Crawford. What could cause him more problems is Crawford's movement, jab, and precision striking.
It's hard to hit when he's on the move, that's where Crawford stands he can be hit. What Crawford usually does is tie up his opponents when they are within punching distance, then tackle them in the tail. Unless a fighter knows how to deal with Crawford's grappling and grappling, it will be difficult.
“Hopefully, those are the things [Madrimov] who works because he knows the level of the battle he is in right now, and he respects it. So I hope you work on things like that because Crawford will take advantage of it soon,” said Mendoza.
Madrimov fights more with his lead hand down when he's on the outside. He gets his hands up and uses angles to avoid shots when he gets to the punch. He has Lomachenko foot movement, which makes him difficult to beat.
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