LOS ANGELES — Terence Crawford returns to the ring after a year on the sidelines when he competes against Israil Madrimov in a super welterweight world title fight Saturday at the 22,000-capacity BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
There are great expectations surrounding Crawford at 154 pounds, having won world championships at 135, 140, and 147, too.
Weight has been a hot topic heading into the contest as, after romping to a violent and one-sided win over Errol Spence Jr. in Las Vegas, Crawford has been linked to another pound-for-pound star and one who outweighs him by at least 14 pounds — Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
A Canelo vs Crawford showdown is a fight Riyadh Season mastermind Turki Alalshikh is seemingly desperate to see.
But, this week, it’s not a match-up those surrounding ‘Bud’ Crawford want to talk too much about, considering he has a more pressing task at hand Saturday, they said.
“The focus is on the Madrimov fight,” Crawford’s coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre told World Boxing News this week. “Only then will we move to the next fight.”
Terence Crawford’s options
It is unclear, for now, what other options Crawford has should he beat Madrimov to win the WBA title.
He could try and unify some of the other super welterweight world titles, and a bout against Sebastian Fundora — the WBC and WBO ruler — could be a money-maker if the beanpole boxer roughs up Spence in a prospective bout later this year. A fight against Jermell Charlo could also generate interest.
But nothing would capture as much crossover attention as a fight between Crawford and Canelo.
“Whoever they want in the [next] fight,” Bomac added, “I’m sure we’re gonna go in there and get the job done like we always do,” he said when asked about the Canelo fight.
As for the Madrimov showdown, Crawford has been “looking real good” in camp, the coach told us. “He’s looking energized, happy, and normal. He’s doing all the things asked of him, and he’s now just ready to go.
“Israil Madrimov is a tough fighter and a hard hitter. He has very good footwork and a great corner with great coaches, so we’re expecting the best.
“But I’m also expecting Bud to be Bud and to just go out and dominate the fight.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing News Lead Writer, a 2 x Sports Journalist of the Year finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Follow Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
