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: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
And... 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!
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Round 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!
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Round 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.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Round seven
Valenzuela is fighting much more proactively than earlier in the bout.
There’s a fun end to the round, with Valenzuela skillfully evading most of Cruz’s offence – until the Mexican lands on the bell.
Round eight
Cruz goes to the well with his right hook a few times. A nice double on that shot, as he lands to the body then the head.
Valenzuela flicking out a series of jabs, but Cruz covers up in disciplined fashion.
Lovely uppercut by Valenzuela! And even when he does get caught, he’s rolling with the punches pretty well, lessening their impact.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Round five
Valenzuela pops out jabs while moving backwards. Cruz curls a couple of hooks at the American before landing an overhand.
Each man lands a cross. Cruz steps in with a right hook to the body. Stabbing shots by Valenzuela as he edges back.
Round six
Cruz is still boxing aggressively, but he’s struggling to land consistently.
Valenzuela connects with a well-timed uppercut, with his back to the ropes, but Cruz lets his hands go late in the round to arrest some momentum!
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Round three
Cruz’s style means Valenzuela is fighting in quite a reactionary manner. He produces a decent spell while going backwards, until Cruz starts to overwhelm him again.
There are some wild misses by Cruz at times, though. Valenzuela, meanwhile, is trying to keep his offence and defence tight.
Big overhand right from Cruz, and Valenzuela’s head bounces against the ropes. A looping, lead left hook from Cruz now, and he ends the round with a good flurry.
Some well-timed counter shots by Valenzuela in there, however.
Round four
Valenzuela with a long left uppercut to the body, and again. Good head movement now as he backs up.
Grazing cross by Cruz, before Valenzuela shoves the Mexican away. Valenzuela is using his height and stance to decent effect at the moment.
Cruz with a trio of loud body hooks.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Round one
Cruz gets right after Valenzuela, teeing off in the corner! Valenzuela tries to stay calm and composed.
Cruz with a right hook to the body. He varies his level and angles. Valenzuela with a body shot of his own, before Cruz turns the dial again.
Cruz with a grazing right hook upstairs, then a cleaner next effort.
Round two
Again Cruz is quick to corner Valenzuela, before unloading punches to the body and head! They call him “Pitbull” for a reason.
There’s a bit more clinching in this round. Cruz with a left hook to the head after one break, before he throws the same glove at the midriff of Valenzuela.
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela
Time for tonight’s co-main event!
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz defends the WBA super-lightweight title against Jose Valenzuela.
Mexico’s Cruz is 26 years old with a pro record of 26-2-1 (18 KOs)
American southpaw Valenzuela is 25 with a record of 13-2 (9 KOs).
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Andy Ruiz Jr vs Jarrell Miller
Andy Ruiz Jr and Jarrell Miller fight to majority draw (112-116, 114-114, 114-114)
Wow, that feels harsh on Miller... Not that many boxing fans will feel bad for “Big Baby”.
Ruiz calls for a rematch. He shows off what looks like a broken hand.
Miller says: “I know I did enough.”
Crawford vs Madrimov LIVE: Andy Ruiz Jr vs Jarrell Miller
Round 11
Into the final two rounds. Miller corners Ruiz, who skips into space.
Ruiz with a couple of hooks and straights, but he’s only fighting in intermittent bursts at the moment.
Ruiz produces another of those bursts, but Miller is taking the Mexican-American’s offence like it’s nothing.
Round 12
Final frame. Clean hook to the head by Miller, after the American eats a body shot.
Both men land to the head simultaneously. This is fun stuff! More clean shots for both men.
They’re slugging it out. Miller still looks the fresher fighter.
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