Terence Crawford, the renowned boxer, has recently been granted a unique title by the World Boxing Council (WBC), known as the ‘Champion in Recess’ tag. This strategic move comes as Crawford makes the decision to move up to the 154-lb weight class to face WBA champion Israil Madrimov on August 3rd. The WBC has given Crawford the opportunity to retain his welterweight title within their organization, albeit with the ‘Champion in Recess’ designation. This decision allows Crawford the flexibility to return to the 147-lb division in the future and compete for his old WBC belt if a suitable contender holds the title. Notably, the provision of this title is a convenient option for the 36-year-old boxer, presenting him with the chance of an immediate title shot upon his potential return to the welterweight division.
Terence Crawford, with an impressive record of 40-0 and 31 knockouts, envisions a grand plan in his boxing career. In his upcoming bout with WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov, Crawford aims to secure victory and potentially claim the WBO interim belt as well. The Crawford-Madrimov fight also serves as a WBC 154-lb title eliminator, setting the stage for the winner to become the mandatory challenger for the upcoming match between WBC/WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora and Errol Spence Jr. Crawford is eyeing a scenario where he defeats Madrimov, thereby acquiring the WBA 154-lb title and the WBO interim strap, before challenging the winner of Fundora vs. Spence for the WBC/WBO titles. This ambitious plan could potentially elevate Crawford to a three-belt champion at 154, holding the WBA, WBC, and WBO junior middleweight titles, with only the IBF strap missing for undisputed champion status in a third weight class, currently held by Bakhram Murtazaliev.
While Terence Crawford’s strategic plan appears promising on paper, it faces a significant challenge in the form of Israil Madrimov. With a record of 10-0 and 7 knockouts, Madrimov presents a formidable opponent for Crawford, being a skilled puncher in his prime at 29 years of age. Crawford, on the other hand, is approaching 37 in September, raising concerns about age catching up with him after a long and sporadic boxing career. Madrimov’s presence in a weight class unfamiliar to Crawford adds another layer of complexity to the impending bout, underscoring the potential hurdles in Crawford’s quest for multiple titles. The risk of underestimating Madrimov’s abilities looms large, emphasizing the importance for Crawford to approach the fight with utmost seriousness and preparation.
While the WBC’s decision to grant Terence Crawford the ‘Champion in Recess’ title opens up intriguing possibilities for his future in boxing, the road ahead is filled with challenges and uncertainties. Crawford’s pursuit of multiple titles in different weight classes demands a meticulous strategy and unwavering commitment to training and performance. As the boxing world eagerly awaits the outcome of Crawford’s clash with Israil Madrimov, the stage is set for a high-stakes battle that could potentially define Crawford’s legacy in the sport.