Terence Crawford’s trainer, Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, is concerned about his challenge against WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3rd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
BoMac says he watched some of Madrimov’s fights, and he feels he’s “tough as s***.” Surprisingly, BoMac is only now aware of what the ring-rusty, soon-to-be 37-year-old Crawford has in front of him because hardcore boxing fans know what he was facing when the fight was announced.
BoMac must have lived under a rock all these years for him not to know about Madrimov and the Golovkin-esque threat he brings to the table for Crawford. I see Madrimov as a combination of Canelo Alvarez in the skill department and Gennadiy Golovkin in power.
Madrimov isn’t the type of fighter you want to face when you’re on the wrong side of 30, having been out of the ring 14 months and moving up in weight seven pounds.
Crawford Chasing Glory
Some feel Crawford is biting off more than he can chew, moving up to 154 and facing what many believe is the #1 fighter in the weight class, Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs). He’s like a walking guillotine, and Crawford’s head will be on the block next.
Crawford has enjoyed great success in his last three fights, knocking out old warriors Errol Spence, Shawn Porter, and David Avanesyan. That’s given him confidence that he can move up to 154 to face the biggest puncher the division has seen since feared knockout artist Julian Jackson haunted the division years ago.
If Crawford loses this fight on August 3rd, he must decide whether to stay at 154, retreat to 147, or retire. It would be pointless for Crawford to move up to 168 to challenge Canelo for his undisputed super middleweight championship if he fails against Madrimov.
That would also depend on His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. The fight can still happen if he continues with the plan for Crawford to face Canelo regardless of his loss.
We saw Francis Ngannou lose to Tyson Fury on one of Turki’s shows and then face Anthony Joshua in his next fight, which means losses don’t mean anything. They’re just an avenue for winning.
Will Madrimov Hit the Jackpot?
“Those guys from overseas, they’re just as hungry as American fighters are. Coming over here to fight a fighter like Terence [is huge]. You beat a fighter like Crawford, you hit the jackpot,” said trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre to Fighthype, discussing Terence Crawford’s title shot against WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3rd.
Hopefully, this lights a fire under Team Crawford’s backsides now that BoMac recognizes he’s not facing one of his typical aging opponents. The guys Crawford has been fighting since 2020 were older fighters who had seen better days.
Madrimov is hungry and will be ready for this upstart, Crawford, in what should be the WBA champion’s biggest career payday.
“We understand that wholeheartedly that guys come over here, getting their chance, trying to feed their families, make history for themselves, and be at the top of the world. We understand that, and we’re well-prepared for it,” said BoMac.
Madrimov is by far the biggest threat to Crawford’s career, and it’s coming at the wrong time for him, with him pushing 37, inactive for over a year on his victory lap, and spoiled from years of fighting past their prime fighters.
“I watched some of his fights. The dude is tough as s***, and you can’t sleep on this kid,” said BoMac about the unbeaten Madrimov. “He wants it too. You can tell he wants it. I met him and his team a couple of weeks ago. They’re serious about this. That’s just going to make us better.”
It’s Madrimov’s Time to Shine
The unbeaten Madrimov ain’t coming to play games in this fight. He hits like a truck and possesses the instinct of a shark. He’s a perfect destroying machine. If Crawford has slipped a notch from soft living due to his massive fortune, it won’t be good for him on August 3rd.
“Madrimov is our biggest challenge right now. We can’t sleep on the dude. The dude is pretty damn good,” said BoMac when asked about Crawford’s interest in fighting Canelo Alvarez at 168.
