Trent Crawford may face his moment of truth this Saturday, August 3, when he faces Israel Madrimov in Los Angeles. The Crawford-Madrimov Riyadh Season event begins at 6:00 pm ET on DAZN and ESPN+ PPV and costs $79.99.
The mobility, power, youth, and gunplay of Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) could present more problems for Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), who is coming off another long layoff at age 36. he was a real check for Crawford, against a guy he couldn't beat.
We'll find out soon on Saturday how well Crawford can take power from the biggest puncher in the 154-lb division. Madrimov isn't the fastest puncher, but his GGG-esque power makes him a nightmare for anyone he faces. I don't see this ending well for Crawford.
There are so many things against him, starting with his growth. He turns 37 in September, and has matured physically over the past year as he enjoyed adulation from fans after his biggest win of his career over Errol Spence in July 2023. Other issues Crawford faces:
– Fighting 154 without experience
– Punching by the puncher of the greatest work
– Completely unfocused: Focused on the Canelo fight
– Semi-retired
– Returning for the wrong reasons:
Crawford can't stand in front of Madrimov and fight him like he did his last opponents at 147 without injury; the clinching and wrestling that Crawford uses as his main neutralizing tool against power punchers is impossible to work against Madrimov because he knows how to fight those guys.
Crawford's Possible Downfall
The annual exit from his hole may finally come back to bite Crawford after this Saturday night. Omaha, Nebraska fighter Crawford may find he's reached the top by entering the 154-lb weight class he wasn't designed to compete in.
It's a very different story for Crawford than the equivalent of juniors, seniors, past their prime in the light weight classes.
For $79.99, there are a lot of great fights with these games:
- David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic
- Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz vs. Jose 'Rayo' Valenzuela
- Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole
- Andy Ruiz Jr. Vs. Jarrell Miller
- Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran
If Crawford feels GGG-like power from Madrimov, he could be in for a real shock in this fight. It might make him realize that he made a big mistake by appointing this talent after 13 months of nothing.
Crawford has been beaten in other weight classes, but nothing like what Madrimov will mark. This will immediately change the way Crawford fights, making him more defensive. He hopes he can overcome the bad decision by thrashing, shaking, and holding on all night.
That won't work against Madrimov, who used to fight against those smart, no-hitter and no-hit, scorers during his prime.
Madrimov, 29, has fought his entire career at 154. He looks and punches with the same power as Canelo Alvarez and could show that what Crawford did in the smaller weight classes at 135, 140, and 147 will be useless to him now.
Madrimov's Cinderella moment
Promoter Eddie Hearn predicts that Madrimov will win by knockout over Crawford which will turn the Uzbek fighter into a professional fighter. This is Madrimov's Cinderella moment; unfortunately for Crawford, he's an old lion he has to go through to become a star.
All the pre-planning that Crawford, his team and the Honorable Turki Alalshikh have done, talking about wanting to fight Canelo or another big fight next, could evaporate Saturday night under Madrimov's power punches.
Crawford could be brought down to earth in this fight and be honored that he wasn't putting in the work he should have by taking it as a part-time job with his once-a-year schedule.
Unemployment Risk
This is how famous fighters of the past, like Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya, broke up. They rarely fought to the end of their careers, taking long breaks between fights, seeking only big paydays, and beatings.
While many fans believe Crawford will win as he always does and make it look easy, I don't think that will happen here. Unlike the fighters Crawford has beaten regularly during his 16-year career, Madrimov is the real thing.
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