Pound-for-pound standout Terence Crawford secured the 154-pound WBA super welterweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Uzbekistan’s Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The official scorecards read 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113, reflecting the competitive nature of the bout.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) faced one of his toughest tests as a professional in this fight, as the contrasting styles led to a somewhat disjointed match that prompted occasional booing from the crowd. Clean and effective punching was intermittent, with both fighters struggling to find their rhythm.
In his post-fight interview with DAZN, Crawford praised Madrimov’s performance, saying, “Israil was a tough competitor. He’s real strong, he’s durable, and he takes a lot of good shots. He had fast feet and good rhythm upstairs. He was looking to counter me just like I was looking to counter him. He was very disciplined, and he fought a good fight.”
Crawford began the fight in a southpaw stance, using the ring effectively while demonstrating his trademark patience. Madrimov appeared relaxed early on, relying more on feints and head movement than actual punches. While Crawford consistently threw more shots, scoring each round proved challenging due to the close exchanges.
Throughout the bout, Madrimov never looked out of his league, raising his stock despite the loss. Many had anticipated a lopsided match, but it was anything but. Although neither fighter was knocked down or seriously hurt, Madrimov did land his best punch of the night in round nine with a powerful left hook. In the penultimate round, Crawford answered back with a stunning left uppercut that visibly shook Madrimov.
The final round encapsulated the fight’s overall nature—close and difficult to score, with both fighters having their moments.
Looking ahead, the buzz for a potential showdown between Crawford and Canelo Alvarez persists, even though I’m not sure that weight class jump will serve Bud well. Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in the negotiations, hinted that an offer would be extended to Alvarez for a February date. The question remains whether Canelo will accept, weighing the risk against the reward of facing a skilled but smaller opponent.
“If the money is right, we gotta fight,” Crawford said with a grin. “He’s got a fight that he’s gotta win against Edgar Berlanga in September, and I’m going home to my family. I want to enjoy all my accomplishments in the sport of boxing.”
If the Alvarez fight doesn’t materialize, Crawford has another historical milestone within reach: becoming a three-weight undisputed champion. Achieving this at 154 pounds would make him the first since Henry Armstrong to hold three titles simultaneously across different weight classes.
With the defeat, Madrimov’s record now stands at 10-1-1 (7 KOs), but he leaves the ring with newfound respect and potential for future opportunities.
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How Packed House Saw It: Fight Analysis
Round 1: Tactical Start
Both fighters approached the ring with caution. Madrimov established his presence by taking center ring, attempting to gauge Crawford’s movements. Crawford immediately switched to southpaw, utilizing his effective right jab to maintain distance. While both boxers traded jabs, neither landed anything substantial. Crawford’s footwork allowed him to evade Madrimov’s advances, showcasing his experience in ring generalship.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 2: Crawford’s Control
Crawford continued to apply his jab, finding a rhythm that frustrated Madrimov. His ability to switch stances effectively kept Madrimov guessing. The challenger’s sharp two-piece to the body demonstrated his focus on scoring, while Madrimov remained tentative, perhaps trying to avoid overcommitting. This round further solidified Crawford’s control of the fight’s pace.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 3: Establishing Dominance
Crawford’s jab became the defining weapon, effectively disrupting Madrimov’s offense. He began to combine the jab with powerful left uppercuts that showcased his ability to mix angles and distances. Madrimov, however, began to find some success with counter jabs, but it wasn’t enough to swing the momentum. The crowd’s restlessness indicated that while the technical exchanges were compelling, they were not producing action-heavy exchanges.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 4: Signs of Life from Madrimov
In the fourth, Madrimov started to find his range. His right hand began to connect more frequently, but Crawford responded with effective body shots that maintained his offensive output. The exchanges in the center ring showed Madrimov’s willingness to engage, but Crawford’s precision and activity kept him ahead.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 5: Pacing and Strategy
Crawford continued to display artistry with his jab, but Madrimov was not to be overlooked. His right hand, while inconsistent, began to show glimpses of potential damage. Crawford’s ability to slip and counter made it difficult for Madrimov to build a rhythm. However, Madrimov’s right hand at the end of the round signified he was starting to get more comfortable, making the round closer than previous ones.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 6: Increasing Intensity
The fight saw more urgency from both fighters. Crawford’s combination punches reflected his superior skill set, while Madrimov began to show signs of damage, particularly to Crawford’s right eye. This round underscored the need for Madrimov to increase his output and disrupt Crawford’s rhythm, which he managed to do sporadically.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 7: Momentum Shift
Madrimov’s counter right hand and body shots started gaining traction as he began to cut off the ring. Despite Crawford’s artistry, the round was a testament to Madrimov’s increasing confidence. He fought with renewed urgency, and while Crawford landed quality shots, they were not as plentiful. This round marked a potential turning point.
Scorecard: 10-9 Madrimov
Round 8: Close Exchanges
This round showcased a more aggressive Madrimov, landing solid power punches that visibly affected Crawford. The champion was on the defensive more often than before, and while Crawford scored some shots, the volume and impact of Madrimov’s punches made this round difficult to score definitively.
Scorecard: 10-9 Madrimov
Round 9: Back to Basics
Crawford re-established his jab and combinations, showcasing his ability to adapt under pressure. However, Madrimov landed a significant counter left that briefly stunned Crawford, highlighting the competitive nature of the fight. The back-and-forth action kept the fight engaging, although Crawford’s technical superiority began to show again.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 10: Champ’s Resilience
Crawford’s resilience shone through in the tenth round. His left uppercut and body shots demonstrated his ability to mix offense with defense, keeping Madrimov at bay. The challenger, while competitive, struggled to match the output and effectiveness of Crawford’s punches as fatigue began to set in.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 11: Late-Round Drama
Crawford’s best punch of the fight came in this round—a left uppercut that momentarily stunned Madrimov. Despite the damage, Madrimov kept pushing forward, trying to make the fight competitive. This round showcased the resilience of both fighters, with Crawford’s skills ultimately edging out Madrimov’s attempts to gain control.
Scorecard: 10-9 Crawford
Round 12: Testing Crawford
In a round that tested both fighters, Crawford found himself on the back foot as Madrimov pressed forward with determined aggression. It was a hard-fought round, with both fighters landing significant shots, yet Crawford’s earlier success in the fight allowed him to maintain a lead. However, Madrimov’s late surge could leave judges divided, leading to a potentially controversial scoring decision.
Scorecard: 10-9 Madrimov
Conclusion
Overall, Terence Crawford demonstrated his superior skill and adaptability throughout the bout, ultimately earning a hard-fought victory over Israil Madrimov. The fight served as a reminder of Crawford’s ability to dig deep and maintain composure under pressure, despite facing an undefeated and determined challenger. The differing opinions on scoring reflected the subjective nature of boxing, particularly in a match characterized by close rounds and varying intensity. Crawford’s ability to control the fight’s pace and mix his offense, particularly with his jab and body shots, proved decisive, though Madrimov’s spirited performance left an impression of his own. The differing unofficial scorecards highlight the complexities of scoring a bout where both fighters displayed technical skill and grit, and the judges’ scorecards will likely evoke a mix of agreement and debate among fans and analysts alike.