The much-anticipated title challenge between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov has garnered a lot of interest among boxing fans. The event, set to take place at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, promises to be an exciting showdown with Crawford seeking his fourth division world title. However, the oddsmakers’ decision to install Crawford as the favorite has raised some eyebrows, as Madrimov is considered to have a significant chance of winning the fight.
Concerns About Crawford’s Age
At 36 years old, Crawford may be considered slightly past his prime to be viewed as the favorite in this fight. The matchup against a younger, more powerful opponent like Madrimov in a new weight division poses a unique challenge for Crawford. Additionally, Crawford’s long period of inactivity over the last four years raises concerns about his readiness for this fight. While Crawford is undoubtedly a talented fighter, his lack of recent high-profile fights may work against him in this matchup.
While the Crawford-Madrimov fight is undoubtedly the main event, the undercard matches also offer some exciting matchups for boxing fans. WBA light welterweight champion Cruz’s defense against Valenzuela promises to be an entertaining bout. Cruz, known for his exciting fighting style, hopes to steal the show from the main event clash between Crawford and Madromov. Additionally, former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr.’s fight against Jarrell Miller presents an interesting matchup, with both fighters tipping the scales at higher weights than expected.
Ruiz’s weight, in particular, has raised concerns among fans and commentators. At 274.4 lbs, Ruiz’s weight is approaching the level he was at during his loss to Anthony Joshua in 2019. At that weight, Ruiz struggled to move around the ring effectively, and his performance suffered as a result. Fans hope that Ruiz can shed some pounds before his fight against Miller to ensure that he is in peak physical condition for the matchup.
In addition to the headline fights, the undercard attractions offer some intriguing matchups for fans to watch. David Morrell’s clash against Radivoje Kalajhdzic for the WBA World light heavyweight title promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both fighters weighed in close to each other, indicating a closely contested battle. Meanwhile, 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz’s lightweight bout against Antonio Moran adds another layer of excitement to the undercard lineup. With both fighters weighing in within a close range, this matchup is expected to be closely fought.
The upcoming boxing matches offer a mix of exciting matchups and intriguing storylines for fans to follow. While the main event between Crawford and Madrimov has generated considerable interest, the undercard matches also promise to deliver some thrilling action for fans. With concerns about Crawford’s age and Ruiz’s weight, these fights are shaping up to be must-watch events for boxing enthusiasts.