Terence Crawford announced during this week's fight press conference that he has fought fighters as elusive and powerful as his August 3 opponent, WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov, throughout his career His 16 years old. Sure, Terence. Sure.
Personally, I find Madrimov too strong and too young compared to Crawford. Terence came through the promotion and immediately won world titles, but in this case, it was a step too far.
Crawford's resume must have a case of amnesia, as there is no one out there who possesses Madrimov's elusive ability and power.
Faced the monster at age 37
This could be the last fight for Crawford to face this monster, Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), who has a bit of a Golovkin vibe about him. Facing this type of puncher at the age of 37 is not good at all.
Terence is coming off another nice long break for this fight and he'll be facing the best fighter in the 154-pound division. This isn't the kind of confrontation you have when counting down to retirement.
At best, Crawford may have two fights left before retiring and he could speed up his time with the punishment he took from Madrimov in their first fight at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
“Right now, I consider Israil the best 154-pounder in the division, so why not pick the division leader right away?” Terence Crawford said at opening press conference for a fight against WBA lightweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3.
Where are these mysterious warriors, Terence?
“He is strong. I've fought strong people before. He has good footwork. I've fought people with good footwork before. The elusiveness. I had to fight people who were elusive,” Crawford continued.
Crawford (40-0, 31 KO) did not name any fighter as strong or slippery as Madrimov. He didn't drop any names. Is Crawford saying this to brag, or is age starting to show over his long career, affecting his memory?
I don't see anyone on Crawford's resume who could be considered as strong or as scrappy as Madrimov unless you count the washed-up version of Amir Khan that he fought in 2019. Khan didn't even move moved during that battle and looked like he was shot.
Does Crawford feel pressured?
“It's dictating what I like to do in the ring and taking away the things he likes to do. Currently, I am at 154. I will make my mark at my current position,” Terence said when asked if he would move up to 168.
