Crawford vs Madrimov Predictions: ‘Bud’ can show he’s worth the weight

The boxing world gets a long-overdue glimpse at many people’s pound-for-pound king this Saturday, August 3, as Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford returns to the ring. The unified and lineal welterweight champion steps up to super welterweight to face WBA champion Israil Madimov. Victory would give ‘Bud’ a world title in a fourth weight class.

The fight takes place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles as the main event of what is being presented as a Riyadh Season card, despite the locale. DAZN will televise the action live.

Here are my Crawford vs Madrimov predictions as ‘Bud’ looks to extend his legacy.

Crawford has never been a man who does things on other people’s time. ‘Bud’ scored arguably the best win of his illustrious career a year ago, trouncing Errol Spence Jr to become undisputed welterweight champion. A virtuoso display unfolded in Las Vegas, as Crawford took a fight most saw as a 50-50 and turned it into a rout. 

The boxing populace expected Crawford might move to capitalise on this monumental victory. To truly solidify his standing as the sport’s best fighter. But Crawford does not operate according to the schedule of outside influence. So he has taken a year out of the ring. It is Terence Crawford’s world, we just live in it.

The WBA and WBO welterweight boss hasn’t fought more than once in a year since 2019. This time, that gentle calendar of activity has cost him the WBC and IBF portions of his welterweight crown. Those were stripped to keep the sanctioning fees circulating, though the WBC has Crawford as their “champion in recess”, essentially a guaranteed title shot against their champion should he want one. 

But, for now, Crawford seems to have little interest in the welterweight division he rules. The 36-year-old has stepped up to face WBA 154-pound boss Madrimov. This is neither the best nor the worst fight we could have been presented with at this stage.

The two most persistent rumours surrounding Crawford during his year of inactivity have been fights with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. There was a brief moment where Spence teased using his rematch clause for an immediate return, but thankfully cooler heads prevailed. Spence could box Crawford every day for a week and he’d be fortunate to take five cumulative rounds.

The Ennis fight entices the most. ‘Boots’ is the IBF champion at the weight, having won Crawford’s vacated crown. He is also staking a claim as one of this generation’s finest prospects. Indeed, if any American fighter is worthy of the throne Crawford will one day relinquish, it is arguably Ennis. 

Crawford’s pursuit of ‘Canelo’ is telling, however. There is a feeling of ‘Bud’ wanting to cash in his chips. Why else, as a welterweight, would he vocally pursue a man campaigning 22-pounds north at super middleweight? Because Alvarez offers the most lucrative option given his status as the biggest name in the sport. Crawford might be the better fighter these days, pound-for-pound. But ‘Canelo’ puts butts on seats.

So is this move to super welterweight less a shot at four-weight supremacy and more a fact-finding mission? Is the former lightweight looking to see how 154 pounds hangs on his frame? 

Whatever his motivation, this is a fight Crawford must take seriously. Madrimov lags far behind him in terms of experience, but his pedigree is sound. A gifted amateur and two-time Asian Games medalist, he has gone unbeaten as a professional across 11 fights.

The only blemish on his record is a technical draw against Michel Soro. Madrimov and the gifted Ivorian shared a brace of ill-fated fights. The first, officially a ninth-round TKO win for Madrimov, was controversial because the Uzbek landed some of his finishing punches after the bell. A rematch was made, which was cut short inside three rounds due to a head clash.

A five-round TKO of Magomed Kurbanov landed Madrimov the vacant WBA super welterweight strap last time out. It was an impressive display and the clearest sign so far that ‘The Dream’ is a nightmare for most top-level 154-pounders.

Crawford is a different beast entirely though. I feel like Madrimov’s style will play straight into his hands. If ‘Bud’ can overcome the strength and size differences, I think he can box comfortably on the back-foot and score with his educated shots. Madrimov operates in straight lines, manna from heaven for a creative puncher like Crawford.

Crawford vs Madrimov Fight Odds

Crawford is a 1/9 favourite to get the job done in L.A. Madrimov can be backed at 6/1 to score the upset while the draw is available at 20/1.

Crawford vs Madrimov Full Card

Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov; For the WBO interim super welterweight title and Madrimov's WBA super welterweight title 

Andy Ruiz vs. Jarrell Miller; Heavyweight 

Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole; Heavyweight 

Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Venezuela; For Cruz's WBA super lightweight title 

David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic; Light heavyweight 

Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran; Lightweight 

Steve Nelson vs. Marcos Ramon Vazquez; Super middleweight 

Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Michal Bulk; Welterweight

Crawford vs Madrimov Prediction

I think this fight is made for Crawford. Madrimov’s style lends itself to that of the challenger. I see ‘Bud’ picking his man off at distance, almost at will, and racking up a sizable points lead. While I don’t think Crawford will get the finish, I think he will do enough to take a wide decision.

You can back Crawford to win on points at a price of 19/10, which I think is great value considering how these two fighters match-up stylistically.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.