Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Result as ‘Bud’ wins title at fourth weight
Re-live the action after Terence Crawford outpointed Israil Madrimov in a closely-fought contest
Terence Crawford became a four-weight world champion with a win over Israil Madrimov on Saturday, outpointing the Uzbek in Los Angeles.
Crawford entered the BMO Stadium as a three-weight champion, having reigned undisputed in two divisions, and he enhanced his already stunning legacy with a unanimous-decision win, claiming the WBA super-welterweight title.
Many of the rounds were closely contested, but the American’s experience told in the later frames, securing him scorecards of 116-112, 115-113, 115-113. With the victory, the 36-year-old stayed unbeaten at 41-0 (31 knockouts), while handing Madrimov his first professional loss (10-1-1, 7 KOs).
After Saturday’s main event, Madrimov said he felt he had done enough to win, while the 29-year-old’s promoter Eddie Hearn called the fight a “waste of time”, bemoaning a lack of “respect from the judges”. But while Madrimov competed impressively, especially considering his relative lack of pro experience, Crawford’s ability to increase his output and find the target in the later phases of the fight proved decisive.
Re-live fight updates and see all undercard results below.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main event
Round nine
Crawford with a double-jab and a cross to the body. Madrimov misses with a leaping left hook but lands a short right cross.
Left uppercut to the body by Crawford. Now a right uppercut in close quarters. Madrimov throws a few hard shots, but none of them land flush.
Crawford with a few well-timed jabs. Hard left hook to the body by Crawford.
DAZN’s commentary team had that as a great round for Madrimov; I disagree.
Round 10
Rear uppercut by Crawford. Madrimov with a pair of left hooks, changing targets from body to head. Slick series of jabs by Crawford.
Both men open up a bit, though neither lands much of significance. Stern cross by Madrimov now, though. He squeezes through another.
Crawford lands to the body but is countered to the head.
Indy Sport has Crawford 6-4 up, but there have been several narrow rounds, so it could be closer – or even slightly the other way.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main event
Round seven
Lots of level-change feints by Madrimov. He sneaks a left hook around Crawford’s guard, but the challenger shakes his head.
Crawford with a trio of body shots late in the round.
Round eight
An uppercut partially lands for Madrimov. The crowd boos again, as the boxers refrain from throwing much.
Two crosses get through for Madrimov, who aims to the head then adds a third shot – this one to the body. Crawford sticks out his tongue again.
Stiff left hook by Madrimov, and a right! Crawford took the latter punch well!
Crawford now tries to regain some respect late in the round.
Indy Sport tentatively has Crawford 5-3 up after six rounds.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main event
Round five
Madrimov is barely wide of the mark with a cross. He curves a hook around Crawford’s guard.
Crawford with some tidy jabs. More boos from the crowd.
Crawford goes down, but it’s just a trip! He seemed to catch his heel on the rope as he reacted to a shot from Madrimov.
Madrimov gets through with another couple of crosses – he keeps going to that shot, and it’s working for him. Crawford sticks out his tongue; he won’t be panicking at all.
Round six
There have been flashes of quality from Crawford so far, and he might be just ahead, but will he start to turn the screw now?
Left hook and right straight from Crawford! Great stuff. Pawing left hook by Madrimov, who then throws himself off-balance with a leaping entry.
There’s a slight cut around Crawford’s right eye, but possibly from a clash of heads. Hard right hook to the body by the American. And again.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main event
Round three
Those late moments of intent from Crawford might have stolen him both rounds.
Crawford opening up a bit earlier in this round, changing angles in the process. Madrimov with a grazing left hook.
Madrimov is still pressuring Crawford but without throwing much of note. The crowd is still quite restless.
Crawford with a nice left uppercut before circling away. He blocks an overhand. Stern jab by Madrimov. The Uzbek lets his hands go briefly after hearing the 10-second clapper.
Round four
Again Crawford is a bit more willing to open up early in the round. He sticks behind his jab. Madrimov with a decent cross.
One-two by Crawford. Madrimov squeezes a cross through Crawford’s guard, and another. Crawford replies with a body shot.
Crawford, moving up in weight, has audible power in his punches. He’s almost put himself off-balance with a couple of efforts, actually.
Uppercut by Crawford, but it connects as Madrimov lands a cross over the top. Another cross by the champion.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main event
Round one
Twelve rounds scheduled. Madrimov is orthodox, Crawford – typically a southpaw – starts the same.
Madrimov takes the centre of the ring. Crawford is already into southpaw, flicking out sporadic jabs. Madrimov is parrying them so far, and throwing his own at the body of the American.
Crawford curls a couple of right hands into hooks. Still nothing of significance landing for either man, though.
Crawford with a couple of crosses, too – both of them blocked. He tries a combination late in the round.
Round two
Madrimov continues to press forward. Crawford strafes and jabs. Madrimov lands a jab to the body.
There’s a slower spell, and the crowd boos the inactivity. Madrimov almost catches Crawford with a jab.
Crawford with an uppercut and a hook to the body late in the round. Straight shot upstairs by Madrimov.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main event
The national anthems are complete. The fighter introductions are under way.
Okay, here we go!!!
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Main-event ring walks
Eminem is done. The main-event ring walks are upon us.
In an unusual move, the champion Israil Madrimov is out first – to the sound of “Can’t Stop” by Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The Uzbek, 29, is undefeated as a pro with a record of 10-0-1 (7 KOs).
Now here comes the challenger, 36-year-old Terence Crawford.
The unbeaten American (40-0, 31 KOs) is a three-weight champion, and he has reigned undisputed in two of those divisions.
Now he is bidding to become a four-division champion, with Madrimov’s WBA super-welterweight belt on the line. The vacant WBO interim title is also up for grabs here.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Glove issue backstage
Crawford’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.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Eminem performs live
The 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.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Valenzuela: “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.
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