Israil Madrimov to defend his title against Terence Crawford in US

WBA junior middleweight champion from Uzbekistan Israil Madrimov (10-0-1 7 KOs) will make the first defense of his title on August 4 in Los Angeles against one of the strongest boxers in the world, regardless of weight category, Terence Crawford (40-0 31 KOs).

Photo: boxingscene.com

The WBO interim junior middleweight title (up to 69.9 kg) will also be at stake.

Israil Madrimov, 29, made his professional debut in 2018 and won the vacant title in March with a fifth-round stoppage of undefeated Russian Magomed Kurbanov.

36-year-old American Terence Crawford is a former lightweight champion (up to 61.2 kg), as well as the absolute champion in the first welterweight division (up to 63.5 kg).

On July 30, 2023, Crawford stopped compatriot Errol Spence early in the ninth round and became the undisputed champion, winning all four welterweight titles (up to 66.7 kg). In total, the American has 40 victories (31 by knockout) and not a single defeat.

“Terence Crawford is my favorite pound-for-pound fighter… When I made my debut in professional boxing, I wanted a big name opponent. And this moment has come... I like his style. I respect him a lot. On August 3, I will be ready without any doubts. I was overjoyed as soon as I found out that we were going to fight. But I’m not Errol Spence. I am Israil Madrimov, and this is my division,” the Uzbek boxer said.

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