Israel Madrimov vs. Terence Crawford: Keys to Victory

Written by Declan Taylor

Terence Crawford is the challenger on Saturday night as he tries to win a world title in the fourth weight division against WBA light-middleweight king Israel Madrimov. But despite debuting in a new division against a dangerous and undisputed champion, it is Crawford who is the odds-on favorite to win. We take a look at what both men need to do to succeed in Los Angeles.

TERENCE CRAWFORD – KEYES OF VICTORY

TIME

Madrimov is the big man in this fight and the biggest striker Crawford has faced and will likely come out to earn America's respect early. Madrimov often jumps into his attack, especially with the left hook, and has the ability to close the court quickly on the attack.

Such a strategy can be dangerous but no one has been able to use this advantage against Madrimov so far. However, Crawford's timing is second to none and he has the ability to use the champion's attack against him in counterattacks when Madrimov comes forward.

IT IS FINISHED

Crawford is arguably the most dangerous finisher in the sport and looks naturally vicious when ordered by an opponent. If he gets an opportunity to face Madrimov, there is no doubt that he will take it. Crawford has had eight fights at welterweight and none of them went the distance, most recently a nine-round knockout of Errol Spence, but his stoppage of Shawn Porter in 2021 also stands out.

That was because during the break between the ninth and 10th rounds, Crawford was told by his corner that he might be down on the cards so, within 15 seconds of the restart, the champion dropped Porter with an uppercut. The fight ended at 1:21 of 10.

EXPERIENCE

Madrimov has had an extensive and decorated career as an ateur but there is no escaping the fact this is only his 12th outing as a professional and is his fifth in 12 total. and he has never played on a stage like this, a show in the stadium that has been billed, rightly or wrongly, as the best card ever promoted to the top.

For Crawford, however, this is nothing new. He's seen it all as a pro and marks one of the most anticipated fights of a generation by outplaying Spence from start to finish. It will be another day in Spence's office, and he will be waiting when Madrimov freezes.

ISRAEL MADRIMOV – KEYES OF VICTORY

SIZE

One factor, according to Eddie Hearn, means that his man will get rid of resentment and change his life deeply forever. The truth is, Madrimov is not the tallest of all 154lbers and he is slightly taller than Crawford but there is no denying that he is just a big man. He used to box at 165lb as a novice and was a career super-welterweight in the pros.

Crawford, on the other hand, started out as a lightweight. With this increase in size, of course, comes more power and if Madrimov can stay clean he has the pop to sleep anyone in the division. As the old saying goes – a good biggun beats a good littlun, but how good is it?

BODY STRIKE

Madrimov's ability to switch attacks from head to body is one of his strongest assets. His left hook to the body was a devastating weapon in his world title win against Magomed Kurbanov last time out while against Michel Soro he used a jab to the body to get water in the basement and slow down his opponent.

The switch-hitting Crawford would be hard to fault but Madrimov will no doubt want to back off the body, especially if he can do both. But it's not just about the work done on the body itself, but what comes after it. His left hook to the head is perhaps his most dangerous shot and can be doubly dangerous when he fires it from the ground behind a straight right hand to the body.

WORK

In an interview with Boxing News, Madrimov emphasized that he will not count on Crawford's inactivity being the cause, but perhaps it is. The former welterweight and light-welterweight champion has not fought since defeating Spence last year and has only fought three times since beating Kell Brook on the Covid bubble back in 2020.

Those three fights also had a combined total of 25 rounds under the lights. At the same time, Madrimov has fought six times and, perhaps most painfully, only came out in March which means he will go into this fight with the momentum he has gained from his excellent performances and the confidence that comes from being a world champion for the first time. . Nice if, but if Crawford has lost a step over the past 12 months, Madrimov is well-placed to take advantage.

Madrimov (L) wrestles with Magomed Kurbanov (R). Photo by Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.