Promoter Eddie Hearn says he would like Terence Crawford to consider fighting Jaron 'Boots' Ennis next if he beats Israel Madrimov and can't fight Canelo Alvarez.
(Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Ennis as the best alternative
Hearn feels Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is yet to lose to WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), but if he luckily proves too good for him on Saturday night, he wants him. facing the undefeated 'Boot' Ennis.
Crawford won't have a better option than Boots if Canelo refuses to fight him because no fighter at 154 is more popular than Ennis.
Terence will not move up to 175 to fight the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol even drops to 135 to fight Gervonta 'Tank' Davis. Only boots unless you're worried about what might happen if he's facing a young talent.
Hearn's confidence in Madrimov
“If he can't get Canelo, I think he should fight Boot Ennis, but I don't believe he'll get past Madrimov. We'll see on Saturday,” Eddie Hearn told the media about wanting Terence Crawford to fight Jaron 'Boots' Ennis next if he wins against Israel Madrimov on Saturday.
If Crawford can't get a fight for Canelo in early 2025, he'll likely target WBC 154-lb champion Sebastian Fundora or a rematch with Errol Spence. Fundora and Spence are expected to fight in November or December later this year.
“When I look at Israel Madrimov, I see ice running through his veins, and if he doesn't win on Saturday, it's because Terence is better than him,” said Hearn. “But he [Madrimov] will not melt under pressure. He will not be afraid.”
If Crawford can't hurt Madrimov and knock him out within six rounds, he'll be in for a tough fight, and he'll be forced to take some heavy shots that he hasn't taken before in his career.
None of the guys Crawford has fought in his 16 years at 135, 140, or 147 have Madrimov's strength. Crawford took out those with good potential early to avoid punishment.
Against Madrimov, Crawford could be upset if he fails to take him out. We'll likely see Crawford go non-stop and crush Madrimov whenever he gets close enough to stay.
“He will sing tonight. “You're going to see Israel Madrimov at his best on Saturday, and I believe he will, but he's up against a great player in Terence Crawford,” Hearn said. “The talent, the ability, the pedigree within the game,” Hearn said when asked what made him think Madrimov was ready to fight a talent like Crawford.
Madrimov's Amateur Pedigree
Madrimov is ready to fight Crawford again. As a novice, Madrimov fought over 300 fights and gained more than enough experience to prepare for Crawford.
The guys Madrimov fought in the amateur ranks were probably better than most of the fighters Crawford fought in the pro ranks. Crawford's best was only against older fighters. When he fought the most notable fighters on his resume, they were old or washed up.
Crawford's best win:
Spence error: 34
Amir Khan: He has passed his time
Shawn Porter: 34
Kell Brook: 34
Julius Indongo: 34
Yuriorkis Gamboa: On the slide
Ricky Burns: It's over
“He only has ten fights, but look at his novice offspring. Check out the time he spent in camp with Joel Diaz. “Look at how he's taken his life over the last six years,” Hearn said of Madrimov.
Hearn shouldn't make a big deal about Madrimov's lack of fight experience because he's had enough fights to give him the experience needed to defeat Crawford.
“Look at the people he used to train with, he separated from them. The likes of Dmitry Bivol and those types of guys. Ideally, we would like two more fights. “He just won the title, he's never boxed like Terence Crawford,” said Hearn.
If Madrimov had two more fights, it wouldn't have helped him because none of the guys at 154 fought like Crawford. Vergil Ortz Jr. and Tim Tszyu are up-and-coming players and will not help Madrimov gain experience that he does not already have.
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