Jake Paul’s backstage celebrations after beating Mike PerryTerence Crawford will look to make more history tonight, as he fights Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles.
Crawford, arguably boxing’s pound-for-pound No 1, has already held world titles in three weight classes, and he shockingly dismantled Errol Spence Jr last year to become the first man to reign undisputed in two divisions.
Now, the unbeaten “Bud” moves up to super-welterweight to challenge Madrimov, also undefeated, for the WBA title. The vacant WBO interim belt will also be on the line tonight, as the American and the Uzbek collide at the BMO Stadium.
Crawford, 36, has a professional record of 40-0 (31 knockouts), while Madrimov, 29, is 10-0-1 (7 KOs) as a pro. The pair headline a Saudi-staged card in LA, with numerous big names on the undercard.
Andy Ruiz Jr vs Jarrell Miller and Jared Anderson vs Martin Bakole are intriguing heavyweight bouts, while Isaac Cruz and David Morrell are among the others to feature here.
Follow live fight updates and undercard results below.
1722745862Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main-event ring walksEminem is done. The main-event ring walks are incoming.
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 05:31
1722745472Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: ‘Bud’ pound-for-pound No 1While we wait for the main event, here’s a look at the Indy Sport pound-for-pound rankings…
Is ‘Bud’ Crawford No 1? Find out here:
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 05:24
1722745029Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Eminem performs liveEminem’s performance is under way.
The main event, therefore, should be coming up shortly!
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 05:17
1722744600Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Glove issue backstageCrawford’s boxing gloves burst in his locker room! He’s since had a new pair fitted, but that’s far from an ideal start to his evening.
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 05:10
1722744000Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Eminem performs liveThe main event is the only fight left tonight, but first…
Rap legend Eminem will perform at the BMO Stadium.
Eminem walked Crawford to the ring last year, when the pound-for-pound great beat Errol Spence Jr.
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 05:00
1722743747Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Nevada Boxing Hall of FameRoberto Duran and Oscar De La Hoya enter the ring, where they are inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi adviser behind the state’s boxing drive this past year, is made an honorary inductee – the first ever.
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 04:55
1722743357Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose ValenzuelaValenzuela: “Man, I’m speechless, I’m speechless. A dream come true.
“I was 100 per cent sure, I was 100 per cent sure [at the final bell].
“[I had to] just be smart. I didn’t get desperate, I stayed calm under pressure.
“[Cruz’s power] was nothing crazy, nothing I’ve never felt. It was solid.”
The crowd is fairly pro-Cruz, and he says their reaction tells you how to feel about the result. He officially requests a rematch.
Jose Valenzuela (right) was elusive for much of his fight with Isaac Cruz (AP)Alex Pattle4 August 2024 04:49
1722743102Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose ValenzuelaAnd… newwwwww WBA super-lightweight champion!
Jose Valenzuela def. Isaac Cruz via split decision (116-112, 113-115, 116-112)
Deserved! The upset is secured by Valenzuela!
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 04:45
1722742566Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose ValenzuelaRound 11
Into the championship rounds. Cruz, the champion, dives after Valenzuela with more trademark hooks.
Now overhands from Cruz, as Valenzuela times some straight counters nicely.
Cruz with a pair of overhand rights, with mixed success.
Valenzuela has boxed a really nice fight. He shakes his head in defiance after Cruz looks to make things messy in the final seconds of the round.
Round 12
Valenzuela’s team tell him he’s three minutes from becoming world champion. Indy Sport agrees, but it’ll be interesting to see the scorecards – barring a late KO here.
Cruz crouches and marches forward, as Valenzuela flicks out jabs.
Cruz with a strong right hand, but Valenzuela takes it well!
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 04:36
1722742097Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose ValenzuelaRound nine
Hard left hook by Cruz! He landed a couple of shots to the body, and it was the level change to the head that caught out Valenzuela.
Cruz fails to build on that punch for the time being, however. It’s not for a lack of trying, but Valenzuela is still boxing elusively for the most part.
There’s no evading a low blow from Cruz, though! The referee isn’t showing too much sympathy, and we’re soon back under way with a touch of gloves.
Round 10
Valenzuela keeps an active lead hand, making it tough for Cruz to close range.
Cruz decides to crouch and wing hooks to the body. Now straight shots land to the head, for both men.
Valenzuela backs up Cruz, who bursts off the ropes with a trio of heavy efforts.
Alex Pattle4 August 2024 04:28
