Boxing
Terence Crawford surpasses Israil Madrimov to become four-division champion
Published
6 months agoon
LOS ANGELES – Hip-hop icon Eminem warmed up the crowd at BMO Stadium on Saturday night with a tiny concert to celebrate the first boxing event of the season in Riyadh, United States.
The world’s best boxer, Terence Crawford, and Israil Madrimov, holder of the WBA junior middleweight title, both entered the ring with lightning-fast grace.
Immediately after the national anthems there was a fireworks display.
The ceremony and occasion were a fitting tribute to the pound for pound king, when Crawford finally got his flowers as he enters the final act of his Hall of Fame-bound career.
Michael Buffer uttered his signature catchphrase, “Let’s get ready for a fight,” but the stars of the evening came stumbling onto the stage from the start, wasting their chance to shine in a slow-paced yet tactical fight that never quite got going.
After 12 fierce, evenly matched, but calculated rounds, the judges unanimously awarded the victory to Crawford (41-0, 31 KO) over Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KO) by scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113.
Crawford, a three-division champion and former undisputed king of the 140- and 147-pound weight classes, went the distance for the first time since 2016, snapping a streak of 11 consecutive submission wins.
While “Bud” defeated “The Dream,” the win fell tiny of Crawford’s spectacular performance last summer in a career-defining victory over Errol Spence Jr.
Crawford landed 95 of 433 punches, while Madrimov was more true, landing 84 of 275 punches – several of them more true.
The fight started at a tentative pace as the double-punching Crawford immediately switched from an orthodox stance to a left-handed one to better gauge Madrimov, and the pair landed five punches in a controlled, tactile frame.
The eternal patience continued into the second round as neither fighter made a real attempt to solve the puzzle of his opponent. In his favor, Madrimov was the one pressing forward while the habitual counterpuncher Crawford landed few punches. The two fighters combined for just 13.
The restless crowd began to express their displeasure in the third round as the sluggish start continued. The fans were not interested in a fight based solely on dodging and footwork. The duo waltzed to join forces and land 10 punches in the round.
Madrimov and Crawford traded strenuous right hooks in the fourth round, but again failed to reach double figures, landing just eight total punches this time.
Crawford stumbled and fell to the canvas in the fifth round, but after he got back up, Madrimov went into second gear and landed several powerful body blows. For the first time in the fight, the fighters reached double figures, 16 combined.
In the sixth round, Crawford stepped up the pace and took Madrimov down, targeting the body.
The tranquil Crawford outsmarted Madrimov in the seventh round, again attacking the body.
Madrimov rebounded in the eighth round and landed a strenuous right jab. While Crawford landed straight punches in this round, Madrimov fared better with power punches.
Madrimov played his best round of the evening in the ninth, in which he landed a powerful right jab and a powerful left hook.
Crawford tried to show his strength in the 10th round, closing the distance and fighting bravely, but Madrimov continued to fight brilliantly, landing the stronger punches in an even round.
Crawford had his best round in the 11th, expertly countering and diving into the opening after landing a left hook in the final 30 seconds. Crawford landed another tiny combination, forcing Madrimov to hold.
In the 12th round, with a close fight seemingly hanging in the balance, Crawford stepped on the gas and landed two consecutive inside hooks. Combinations followed, but Madrimov was not hurt.
However, his record suffered as the 2016 Olympic silver medalist representing Uzbekistan suffered the first defeat of his professional career.
Both fighters finished the fight with swelling around their eyes.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, vowed again Saturday night to do everything possible to book a fight between Crawford and super middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. If Alvarez declines, Alalshikh said he will focus on booking Crawford against Vergil Ortiz Jr., who must first defeat Serhiy Bohachuk next week.
Crawford could also focus on rematches with Madrimov and Spence or fights with Jaron Ennis, Jermel Charlo, Tim Tszya and Sebastian Fundora, who all await at 154 pounds.
You may like
Boxing
Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC
Published
1 week agoon
January 13, 2025The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).
If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.
“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”
29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.
Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.
“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”
Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.
The next move is Badou Jack’s.
Boxing
Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years
Published
1 week agoon
January 12, 2025Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.
This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.
In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.
“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.
“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.
Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.
Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.
Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.
However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.
In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.
It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 6, 2025WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
GENNADY GOLOVKIN CRUSHES STRENGTH TRAINING WITH EASE; THROWS WEIGHT AROUND LIKE IT’S NOTHING
The official fight of Adam Azim vs. Ohara Davies will take place on October 19
KSI – FULL POST FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE vs. Logan Paul | DAZN Boxing
Trending
-
MMA8 months ago
Max Holloway is on a mission at UFC 212
-
MMA8 months ago
Cris Cyborg ready to add a UFC title to her collection
-
Interviews3 months ago
Carl Froch predicts that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
MMA8 months ago
The Irish showed up in droves at the Mayweather-McGregor weigh-in
-
Interviews3 months ago
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
Boxing6 months ago
Lucas Bahdi ready to test his skills against Ashton Sylve
-
Interviews8 months ago
I fell in love with boxing again
-
Opinions & Features3 months ago
Dmitry Bivol: The story so far