By Norm Frauenheim

Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford will share a ring and not much else on a projected day in September. In part, the differences are what make their planned fight so intriguing. 

Canelo has a documented advantage on the scale and perhaps another one among fans. Shifting odds, reported here last week https://www.15rounds.com/2025/03/30/canelo-crawford-interest-builds-as-odds-continue-to-favor-canelo/, suggest the public increasingly favors Canelo.

Then, there are the intangibles, hard to define, nonetheless there on social media in a tireless debate that only figures to get noisier by multiple octaves. 

It’s a fight with a genuine chance to remind us that legacy — rendered irrelevant by overuse — can still mean something. Put it this way: Canelo, bigger and wealthier, is fighting to preserve his; Crawford, smaller and less popular, is fighting to guarantee his own. 

It’s not that simple, of course. It never is amid the inherent chaos sure to happen before any conflict. It’s messy, a drama expected to exasperate and entertain. But the stakes are there, clearcut in a fight between two of the best in their generation. A younger one is emerging. Canelo-Crawford represents a passing-of-the torch, that last major bout for fighters who’ll reunite in Canastota NY at a Hall of Fame induction in about five years. The winner of this one can claim to be the best of his day. In a time that will be remembered for a risk-to-reward ratio and fights that didn’t happen, it just doesn’t get much better than that.

On the scale and their resumes, we know the differences. Crawford is unbeaten at 140, 147 and 154 pounds in a reign that includes undisputed titles at junior-welter and welterweight. Canelo has lost twice, going upscale from 154 to 160, 168 and 175 pounds. 

At 168, it’s safe to argue that nobody has ever been better than Canelo. At 147, there’s an argument that Crawford could have been an all-timer, among the best in the fabled welterweight division, good enough to perhaps be a fifth king in the four-sided rivalry so powerfully captured by the late George Kimball in his book, Four Kings, about Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns.

The respective arguments are there, an inseparable part of what is also at stake.

For now, Crawford and Canelo enter the ring with only one thing in common: A victory over Amir Khan. On paper, at least, the Khan fights settle nothing. Both Canelo and Crawford scored sixth-round stoppages over Khan, Crawford winning by TKO in April 2019 at welterweight and Canelo by KO in May 2016 at a 155-pound catchweight.

Crawford knocked down and nearly knocked out Khan in the first round. But the fight ended in controversy. After an apparent low blow, Khan’s corner said he could not continue. Canelo simply overwhelmed Khan in the sixth walking through his punches and knocking him unconscious. Yet, Khan was competitive in the early rounds. 

At the time of stoppage, Canelo trailed, 47-46, on one card. He led 49-46 and 48-47 on the other two. 

Other than the low blow, there was no argument about the scoring for Crawford-Khan. At the time of stoppage, Crawford was on his way to a runaway decision — 49-45, 50-44, 49-45.

In the buildup to Canelo-Crawford, the scorecards figure to be part of the story, an item in the debate. But the two fights were separated by three years. Khan was a different fighter in each. So, too, were Canelo and Crawford, now at the end of their primes. Canelo is 34. Crawford will be 38 on Sept. 28.

In the end, however, there will be a parallel that will further the intrigue and perhaps set the stage for what follows. Floyd Mayweather Jr., a dominant face of the generation before Canelo-Crawford, looms as a significant point of comparison.

Canelo has fought him, losing a decision in 2013 that proved to be a lesson and a milestone for the business-like way Canelo turned himself into boxing’s biggest pay-per-view draw over the next 12 years. Crawford has not fought Mayweather and presumably never will. 

Since Crawford’s singular display of welterweight brilliance in a stoppage of Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023, fans and media wonder at how Crawford, a dynamic finisher at welterweight and still unbeaten, would have done against Mayweather, who retired unbeaten as one of history’s greatest defensive fighters. We’ll never know.

But Canelo-Crawford — who wins and how it happens — figures to produce documented history and an intriguing look about how different eras compare. That’s real legacy. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Date and place remain uncertain, but exploding interest in Canelo Alvarez-versus-Terence Crawford six months before a projected opening bell is already evident in the noisy debate on social media and shifting numbers in the betting line. 

The social-media noise will continue, ad nauseam. But it’s the betting line, an early poll of sorts, that is showing a shift of public opinion toward Canelo. 

Canelo opened as a slight favorite, minus-190. But the odds, the dollars, are moving toward Canelo during the weeks since an 11th-hour deal was struck with Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh on Feb. 7. 

This week Canelo is at minus-230. Translated, that means there’s a 66-percent chance he wins a fight as intriguing as any for a bout expected to happen in September in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles. 

The early odds figure to change more, especially during the first Saturday in May when Canelo is expected to reunify the super-middleweight title against International Boxing Federation belt-holder William Scull, a Cuban living in Germany, in a perceived tune-up in Riyadh. 

Canelo figures to win easily, but how easily will be a key factor going into the fight against Crawford, a four-division champion and an all-time welterweight great who is moving up two weight classes.

Increasingly, there’s social-media talk that the smaller, more skillful Crawford can beat Canelo. But the shifting odds say something else. There’s an old line: In a fight between two good fighters, bet on the bigger guy. For now, that’s Canelo. 

According to the latest odds update, Crawford has a 33 percent chance at springing one of the biggest upsets since Manny Pacquiao, then a lightweight champion, jumped to welterweight and scored an eighth-round stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008.

Pacquiao weighed in at 142 pounds. De La Hoya, who came down from junior middleweight, was at 145 at the official weigh-in. It looked as if De La Hoya had weakened himself in the battle to make weight. Pacquiao overwhelmed De La Hoya late in the eighth, forcing him to quit before the start of the ninth.

Canelo, already known to tire in the later rounds, won’t have to weaken himself on the scale. According to the agreement, he’ll be at his customary weight, 168 pounds at the weigh-in the day before opening bell. 

It’s up to Crawford, who fought and won a belt at junior-middle (154) in his last bout, to add pounds. The question is how that will affect Crawford, who unlike Canelo does not have a fight scheduled before the projected September bout.

If Crawford can carry the additional weight without draining his endurance or eroding the dynamic resilience in his varied skillset, he’s got a real chance. Canelo has never faced anybody with Crawford’s quicksilver ability to adjust, including a seamless move from orthodox to southpaw and back. 

At 37 — he’ll be 38 on Sept 28, Crawford’s feet might not move with the agility and speed that they did when he was at lightweight and junior-welter. 

If, however, Crawford withstands Canelo’s early power, carries the weight and carries himself into the later rounds, there’s a chance he catches a tiring Canelo with counters from angles the powerful Mexican has yet to see.

On the scale of intangibles, the edge goes to Crawford. There’s charisma in his defiance. Motivation, too. Underdog will be the perfect fit for Crawford in his pursuit of big money and genuine legacy. 

It’s not as if Crawford is coming into what might be his last fight seeking a gigantic payout against a Jake Paul or a Conor McGregor. He’s taking on perhaps the biggest challenge possible against a bigger man, Canelo, who goes into the fight more than just favored.

Canelo is supposed to win. There’s pressure in that role, but it’s one Canelo understands better than any fighter in his generation. 

He’s learned how to counter it and how to use it throughout the years since a milestone scorecard loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013. If social media and shifting odds are any indication, that pressure is just beginning to build.

Best bet:

It’s going to be a hell of a fight.

By Norm Frauenheim

Surprise, surprise, the Canelo Álvarez-Terence Crawford fight was off. Then, faster than flipping a light switch, it was back on. For the nut jobs gathered in the murky bottom of the social-media cesspool, that was the first sign of a lot more off and on. Sure enough, that’s what followed within a few hours Thursday. Canelo-Jake Paul was on, then suddenly off, in a dizzy sequence of dueling reports, all hard to follow in a sport known more for feints than facts.

Welcome to boxing, once called the red-light district of sports.  Buyer beware, which these days means don’t believe anything you read or hear because it’s about to change.

It all started late Wednesday with a Canelo-Crawford report from The Ring. Suddenly, a fight rumored for about a year and reportedly a done deal for September was suddenly off. Why? Fill in the blanks.

Immediately after news that — for “now” — the reported Canelo-Crawford fight in September on the Las Vegas Raiders home field is off, there were reports that Canelo would fight Jake Paul, who issued a statement Thursday evening, saying “when there is something to announce, we will announce it.’’

Turns out, there was nothing to announce. Instead, there was boxing’s new money man, Saudi Prince Turki Alalshikh, on social media, saying — somewhat cryptically — that Canelo had a four-fight deal for the Riyadh Season. It’s supposed to start on the first weekend in May, but apparently Paul will not be included, despite multiple reports to the contrary earlier in the day.  Meanwhile, The Ring, which Alalshikh recently bought, posted that Canelo-Paul was off. Please, pass the dramamine. It’s hard to know when this messy merry-go-round stops.

Above all, it suggests what everybody already knows. To wit: Boxing doesn’t know what it’s doing. Never has. The difference this week is the chaos. There’s more of that than ever. The best bet — perhaps the only one — is that the chaos will continue, leaving fans and media free to speculate wildly about what to believe and who to mock, what to rip and who to insult.

The best guess in this corner is that an untold amount of money was offered in some furious wheeling-and-dealing between the offs and ons, all in an 11th-hour effort to convince Canelo that he was better off with the Saudis than with a reported bout against Jake Paul. 

The Paul reports were credible, mostly because they made sense.

Canelo, the wealthiest boxer on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s richest athletes, has been more businessman than boxer over the last couple of years. He has employed the risk-reward formula he inherited from Floyd Mayweather Jr., who reportedly became a billionaire boxer by adhering to the ratio.

Paul has been calling out Canelo for years. As an aside, he has never called out David Benavidez, who also had been pursuing Canelo for years before his solid victory at light-heavyweight Saturday over David Morrell. Paul fought MMA star Anderson Silva in a boxing match two-plus years ago in Glendale AZ, just a few blocks from Phoenix streets where Benavidez grew up. 

“You call out Canelo, why not Benavidez?’’ I asked him at the formal news conference.

“I’m not ready for that,’’ Paul said.

He’s not. 

Not then. 

Especially not now.

Canelo, super-middleweight champ and still ranked in the middle of most pound-for-pound ratings, knows that, of course. He also knows that Crawford, an all-time welterweight great still among the top three in the pound-for-pound debate and now 1-0 at junior-middle, is a bigger risk than Paul ever could be. 

Like Benavidez, Paul has never called out Crawford either. 

The risk in either is not worth the reward.

But Paul, whose persona includes an edgy notoriety, has a social-media following that only Gallup can count. His drawing power is also undisputed. A Netflix audience for Paul’s sad spectacle against aging and ailing Mike Tyson on Nov. 15 was reported to peak at 65 million. The live crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington TX was announced at 72,300. Factor in all of that and it looked to be a no-brainer. 

The only downside would be the criticism Canelo would inevitably hear if he fought Paul, a novice boxer, instead of the emerging Benavidez or the feared Crawford, who is promoted by Alalshikh.  But the Saudi offer apparently was big, bigger than even the money Canelo might have made in a May date against Paul.

Apparently, the Saudi deal also restores plans for a Crawford fight against Canelo in September. Crawford tweeted Thursday night that he would wait on Canelo to fight a perceived tuneup in May. Super-middleweight belt-holder William Scull, a Cuban living in Germany, Jermall Charlo and Bruno Surface — who knocked out Jaime Munguia in a huge upset — are possibilities for the May date.

But there’s still a caveat. As of late Thursday, there was still no word — yes or no — from Canelo, the reigning Face of the Game. Only his final say-so can stop the chaos, or maybe just ignite a lot more of it.   

October 4, 2024 – On Wednesday, October 2, a video went viral of Terence Crawford stating, “if Fundora’s licking his chops over my performance vs Israil Madrimov, then I should be licking my chops because Madrimov knocked Fundora out in sparring.”

Since then, the Fundora team have been receiving notifications of Crawford’s accusations. Hence, on Thursday, October 3, Coach Fundora spoke to Madrimov’s trainer, Joel Diaz, regarding the viral statement made by Terrance Crawford. During the conversation between Coach Diaz and Coach Fundora, Diaz mentioned that Madrimov’s Manager, Vadim Kornilov, was very perturbed at these false statements made by Crawford on a sparring session that happened over five years ago in which neither of them ever touched the canvas.

Per Madrimov and his whole team, they stated they have nothing but respect for Sebastian Fundora, and his whole team, and don’t take lies and disrespect lightly. Coach Fundora responded that “Team Diaz,” Madrimov’s coaching team, is family to him. They have all known each other from the Coachella Valley since they were kids.

“The Boxing Community in the Coachella Valley is extremely tight knit. We all respect each other for the work we put into our boxers, and Coaches’ Etiquette is an unbroken rule that we all abide by. There are plenty of ways of making fights professionally, without fabrication out of frustration. To reiterate Madrimov and his team are God fearing men, and it is very unlikely that they would ever speak ill of Sebastian Fundora, his sparring sessions and his team. No amount of facts or truth will convince a simpleton that they are wrong.”

“Terence Crawford should apologize for being so naive,” added Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz. “A great champion like him should be above this kind of childishness.”

Referencing the fact that the WBO have ordered Fundora and Crawford’s representatives to reach an agreement to fight by 4 pm on October 10, or the committee will order purse bids, Lewkowicz says there’s no need for a champion like Crawford to be engaging in schoolyard gossip.

“The fight is already going to happen. It’s bad business for Crawford to be trying to make a unified world champion look bad by spreading stupid rumors. You’re 37 years old. Spend your time training instead. You’re going to need it.”

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By Norm Frauenheim –

Canelo Alvarez isn’t going to strengthen his position in the pound-for-pound debate, no matter what he does against Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in a fight that has been dismissed by exasperated fans who only want to see him against David Benavidez or Terence Crawford.

But the public consensus, as damning as it is noisy, is further evidence that Canelo isn’t going anywhere, no matter who he fights or where he stands in the various ratings. He doesn’t even have all of the super-middleweight belts anymore. An acronym stripped him of one, which I guess means he’s been demoted from undisputed to unified. 

But don’t dispute his power to dictate — to get what, when and whoever he wants — in a business otherwise ruled by chaos. I’ll leave it up to somebody else as to whether Canelo’s long powerbroker reign is good for boxing. There’s an old line worth repeating: Absolute power corrupts absolutely

Nevertheless, his latest controversy with boxing’s nouveau riche, Saudi Prince Turki Alalshikh, only manages to re-affirm that power. Alalshikh took offense when Canelo appeared to rebuff his attempts to put together a much-talked-about date with Crawford after Crawford’s narrow decision over Israil Madrimov in his junior-middleweight debut on August 3.

Canelo talked about respect, which usually means he believes he wasn’t getting enough of it.  Then, he told Alalshikh to talk to him after his title defense against Berlanga on a night when the UFC will stage a mixed martial-arts event at Las Vegas’ Sphere, just a few blocks of neon from T-Mobile Arena.

In the middle of the edgy exchange, Alalshikh posted a photo of himself, declaring he was the Face of Boxing. That precipitated a backlash. The game’s Face is reserved for those who are willing to risk that face. In other words, only the fighters qualify. In a craft where virtually everything is for sale, it’s the one thing that can’t be bought. 

Alalshikh, who is new to the sport and its unwritten traditions, backtracked last week while announcing an undercard featuring Shakur Stevenson-versus-Joe Cordina on an Oct. 12 show featuring Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh.

In posting the undercard, there was a response that called Alalshikh “The Face of Boxing.” No, he said, he wasn’t worthy of that. Only the fighters are. Props to the Prince.

That lesson, however, was a victory for Canelo. In effect, it reaffirmed — even tightened his grip — on his undisputed place as The Face.  Consider Crawford. His brilliant career has ensured him of the Hall of Fame and gained him some over-due respect. At this late stage, however, it looks as if it has come down to just one option: Canelo or retirement. 

Crawford, who will be 37 late next month, had hoped that the Madrimov fight in Los Angeles would be a steppingstone to Canelo. And only Canelo. 

Increasingly, it’s become clear that Crawford, still among the top three in virtually every pound-for-pound rating, has no interest in uniting the junior-middleweight title. 

The unbeaten Crawford is already a two-time undisputed champ, at 140 and 147 pounds. He has expressed no interest in fighting Jaron “Boots” Ennis, the reigning young lion at welterweight. It looks as if he also has no interest in facing the young lions at 154 pounds, including Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Alalshikh said he approached Crawford, also a four division champion, about a fight with Ortiz after Ortiz’ controversial, yet gritty majority decision over Ukrainian Serhii Bohachuk in Vegas a couple of weeks ago. According to Alalshikh, Crawford said no, a sign that we may have seen him fight for the last time. 

After Berlanga, Canelo, a 16-to-1 betting favorite, is sure to get questions from fans and an offer from Alalshikh about Crawford in a fight at 168-pounds, 14 more than Crawford’s weight against Madrimov in a bout that snapped his stoppage streak at 11 straight.

It all depends on Canelo.

Still Canelo.

By Norm Frauenheim

LOS ANGELES — Terence Crawford won the fight. But he didn’t beat his critics.

Crawford’s place in the pound-for-pound debate and indeed history are still an argument, one sure to be debated as much as ever after he won a fourth title in a fourth weight class with a unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov before an announced crowd of about 28,000 at BMO Stadium Saturday night.

Crawford moved up the scale to junior-middleweight. But he didn’t bring some of his singular brilliance with him. He believes this is his era. But that claim will have to wait. Madrimov did to Crawford what Errol Spence Jr, Shawn Porter and so many more could not. He took him to the score cards. 

Madrimov was the first fighter not knocked out by Crawford in eight years. Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) had scored 11 straight stoppages. Then, the streak was snapped by an unlikely fighter, an Uzbek known more his amateur accomplishment than his pro resume.

Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) fought the feared Crawford on even terms. At times, he made Crawford look ordinary. Above all, he made him look beatable, especially if he faces Canelo Alvarez in another jump up the scale, this time to a projected bout at 168 pounds.

“He’s a hell of a fighter,’’ Crawford said.

Above all, Madrimov was a surprising fighter, unknown to most in the crowd. But his amateur education included tireless movement and shifting angles that seemed to baffle Crawford. Going into the final two rounds, it looked as if Crawford might lose on the cards. But a sudden, perhaps desperate aggressiveness, might have saved him in the end. He rocked Madrimov in the 11th and the 12th with with repeated uppercuts. On the official scorecards, it was 115-113, 116-112, 115-113, all for Crawford.  The Boxing Hour.com also scored it 115-113, also for Crawford..

But not everybody agreed, including Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, Madrimov’s promoter.

“This fight was on a knife edge,’’ said Hearn, who especially angry at the 116-112 score. “In a title fight, you’ve got to rip the the belt off the defending champion.’’

Crawford didn’t do that. But he did leave the ring with the World Boxing Association’s version of the junior-middleweight title.

For Madrimov, it was enough to ask for a rematch. He asked Hearn to put one together for later in the year. But that depends on Crawford, who will be 37 on Sept. 28 and looked every bit his age. There’s speculation that Crawford is just a couple fights from retirement. The guess has been that he’ll cash out if and when he ever gets an opportunity to fight Canelo. If Canelo was watching Saturday, he had to like his chances.

Predictably patient and calculating in his debut at 154 pounds, Crawford began  slowly, perhaps studiously. It was the first stage in a search and destroy mission. The search was for an opening, a weakness in Madrimov’s style. But Crawford never did get to the destroy stage. 

Through the first five rounds, it was hard to find a weakness in Madrimov. The clever Uzbek presented Crawford with a problematic mix of angles and movement. He stepped to one side, bounced up and down at a rapid pace, then stepped to the other side. For Crawford, Madrimov’s style presented a tactical puzzle, one complicated by his tireless and purposeful movement.

Crawford, fighting out of a southpaw stance, managed to land a few right hands. But not one  appeared to do much damage. At times, he made Crawford look awkward. He tripped and fell in the fifth. 

All the while, Madrimov would land a jab, enough of them to leave a small bruise under Crawford’s right eye. With each passing round, it looked as if Madrimov was emboldened by his ability to fight the longtime pound-for-pound  contender on his own terms. He dictated the pace. Controlled the ring. 

In the seventh, Madrimov’s right hand landed with more frequency. In the ninth and tenth, Madrimov was the aggressor. Stubbornly, he moved forward, putting Crawford on his heels and  without any apparent fear of walking into one of his lethal counters.

“He fought a great fight,’’ Crawford said.

A surprising one, too

Valenzuela upsets Isaac Cruz

Jose Valenzuela kept moving.

In the end, he moved into a huge upset.

Valenzuela relied on patience, poise and precision, all enough to score a split decision over feared Isaac Cruz in the final fight before a main event featuring Terence Crawford-versus-Israil Madrimov Saturday in front of a capacity crowd at BMO Stadium Saturday.

Valenzuela (14-2 9 KOs), the new World Boxing Association junior-welterweight champion, had to endure — indeed survive — some rocky moments in the late rounds to secure the win over Cruz, a 5-to-1 betting favorite.

Cruz, ever aggressive, threw a jackhammer-like right hand out of a crouch. It stunned Valenzuela in the final seconds of the 11th. Had it happened earlier in the round, Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) might have saved his belt 

But Valenzuela, of Renton WA,  made it back to his corner with his poise intact. after the 12th, two scorecards favored him, 116-112 both. On the third, it was 115-113 for Cruz.

“His smarts,” said his new rainer, Robert Garcia, who has moved into a corner that was once occupied by Jose Benavidez Sr. “He had to stay smart. Fight smart.”

He did, but his steady performance didn’t convince a crowd that included many Mexican fans. They booed the decision. Cruz, a Mexico City fighter nicknamed Pitbull, believed he did enough to win.

“So did the crowd,” Cruz said. “Listen to them.”

It sounded like an immediate rematch

Ruiz and Miller fight to a dull draw

It was a majority draw, Mostly a dud, too..

There was no winner Saturday in a heavyweight bout between Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller Saturday on the Crawford-Madrimov card at BMO Stadium 

In a plodding exhibition between fighters beyond their prime, there was mostly impatience from a gathering crowd anxious for the main event, or Eminem, or just an early stoppage. But there was no stoppage, no early end to a fight that generated boos before it reached the sixth round.

It was Ruiz’ first fight in 23 months. Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KOs) had been idle for too long. His noted hand speed, the key to his memorable upset of Anthony Joshua, was gone. Midway through the fight, he became a one-handed fighter because of an apparent broken bone in his right.

That allowed Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) to assert himself. But he never really capitalized. His punches were hit-and-miss, mostly miss. In the end, he did enough to win on one scorecard, 116-112. On the other two cards however, it was a draw, 114-114.

“Let’s do it again,” Ruiz said to the crowd. “I’d love a rematch.”

He’d be the only one.

Jared Anderson falls in fifth-round beatdown

Jared Anderson began the day as America’s next great heavyweight.

But his future changed.

The next great was turned into just another American heavyweight. 

Martin Bekole (21-1, 16 KOs), a Congo heavyweight living in London, knocked the next out of Anderson’s future with a beatdown, three knockdowns in a stunning fifth-round stoppage Saturday on the Crawford-Madrimov card.

Anderson’s feet weren’t quick enough to elude Bekole. His jab didn’t have the power or precision to keep him off. Bekole simply moved forward, steamrolling Anderson  like a runaway truck on the nearby LA freeway.

Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) was down late in the first round from an uppercut. He was down a second time midway through the fifth from another uppercut. Moments later, he delivered still another uppercut, dropping Anderson onto the canvas and under the bottom rope. He got up. But it was clear he was finished, a stoppage loser at 2:07 of the fifth.

Morrell wins light-heavy debut, calls out Benavidez

David Morrell didn’t waste much time after winning his light-heavyweight debut, a unanimous decision over Radivoje Kalajdzic.

Who’s next?

David Benavidez, he said.

“I want to fight Benavidez,” Morrell said after winning a vacant World Boxing Association title with a mixed performance in his first fight after moving up from super-middleweight. “I want him. Everybody knows that. Benavidez is the boogeyman. I’m here.”

Benavidez won his light-heavyweight debut, a decision over Oleksandr Gvozdyk, also in a mixed performance on June 15.

Before calling out the Phoenix fighter, it wasn’t exactly clear that Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) had beaten Kalajdzic, a tough Serbian and a veteran light-heavyweight. Morrell appeared to tire Saturday on the Crawford-Madrimov undercard.  He pursued an early knockout. Midway through the 12-round bout, Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs) moved forward and countered, often landing shots easily. Nevertheless, it was one-sided on the scorecards. It was 117-11,118-110 and 117-111, all for Morrell.

“I feel good,” said Morrell, who fought as though he was thinking more about Benavidez than Kalajdzic

Andy Cruz impresses, scores seventh-round stoppage of Moran 

Andy Cruz showed why he’s a prospect with a dramatic seventh-round stoppage of Antonio Moran in the third fight Saturday on the Crawford-Madrimov card.

Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs), a Cuban lightweight who won Olympic gold in a victory over Keyshawn Davis in 2021, staggered Moran i(30-7-1, 21 KOs) in the sixth.

Late in the seventh, he finished the job with a long right hand that traveled with laser-like precision. It sent Moran, of Mexico City, falling into the ropes, which were the only thing that kept him from falling out of the ring. At 2:59 of the seventh, it was over. 

Steve Nelson, Crawford stablemate, scored fifth-round TKO

Omaha super-middleweight Steve Nelson calls himself So Cold.

It’s a nickname he put to good use on a hot afternoon Saturday in the second fight on the card featuring Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium, a soccer stadium within a few miles roadwork from the LA skyline.

In an outdoor ring at the center of the stadium floor, Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs), a Crawford stablemate, kept his cool, controlled the pace and then coolly scored a fifth-round TKO of Marcos Ramon Vazquez (20-1-1, 10 KOs) of Tijuana.

First Bell: Crawford-Madrimov opens with a draw.

It started with more people in the ring than in the seats.. Instead of cheers, there just echoes from the traffic that surrounded BMO Stadium.

But the show must go on and it did with Saudi welterweight Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0-1, 1 KO) and Michael Bulik (6-7-1, 2 KOs) fighting to a draw in the first fight on a card featuring Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov Saturday under a hot sun at BMO Stadium.

Almaayouf appeared to be the busier fighter. Early on, he scored repeatedly with fast hands. On the scorecards, however, it was a majority draw — 57-57 twice and 59-55 on the third card.

6 x 3 mins International Welterweight contest
ZIYAD ALMAAYOUF 144 lbs v MICHAL BULIK 142.4 lbs
(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)             (Opole, Poland)

followed by

10 x 3 mins International Super-Middleweight contest
STEVE NELSON 167.6 lbs v MARCOS RAMON VAZQUEZ 167.6lbs
(Omaha, USA)                         (Tijuana, Mexico)

followed by

15:00 LIVE ON DAZN PPV

10 x 3 mins IBF International & WBA Continental Latin-American Lightweight Titles
ANDY CRUZ 134 lbs v ANTONIO MORAN 134.8 lbs
(Mantazas, Cuba)         (Mexico City, Mexico)

followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title
DAVID MORRELL 174.8 lbs v RADIVOJE KALAJDZIC 174.4 lbs
(Santa Clara, Cuba)                 (Brooklyn, USA)

followed by

10 x 3 mins NABF & WBO International Heavyweight Titles
JARED ANDERSON 252.4 lbs v MARTIN BAKOLE 284.4 lbs
(Toledo, USA)                              (Kananga Democratic Republic Of The Congo)

followed by

12 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
ANDY RUIZ 274.4 lbs v JARRELL MILLER 305.6 lbs
(Imperial, USA)                (Brooklyn, USA)

followed by

12 x 3 mins WBA Super-Lightweight World Title
ISAAC CRUZ 140 lbs v JOSE VALENZUELA 139.8 lbs
(Mexico City, Mexico)    (Los Mochis, Mexico)

followed by

12 x 3 mins WBA Super-Welterweight World Title & WBO Interim Title
TERENCE CRAWFORD 153. 4 lbs v ISRAIL MADRIMOV 154 lbs
(Omaha, USA)                                     (Chiva, Uzbekistan)  

By Norm Frauenheim –

LOS ANGELES — It was a ceremonial weigh-in, which is another way of saying it was phony. But there was nothing phony about the look. From Terence Crawford, it never has been.

Crawford looked at and through Israil Madrimov the way he has throughout a career introduced and defined by unblinking, unforgiving eyes impossible to ignore and intense enough to fear. Crawford doesn’t say much. He doesn’t have to. Those eyes say it all. They have throughout a career without a loss and never a sign of hesitancy or self-doubt.

Errol Spence has seen it. Shawn Porter, and so many more, have seen it. It was Madrimov’s turn at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles Friday about 24 hours before their junior-middleweight title fight at BMO Stadium just a few miles of roadwork down the freeway.

They had already made weight earlier in the day behind closed doors for the California State Athletic  Commission. Crawford (40- 31 KOs) was at 153.4 pounds. Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) was at the 154-pound limit. A ceremonial version in front of fans and cameras was next. It’s one way to sell the pay-per-view for a card scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 ET). It’s mostly theater, rehearsed and packaged. 

But for Crawford it was one more chance to unleash a look seen for the first time for the fighter standing across from him. We’ve seen the look on video and in photos. For those last few moments on a stage in downtown LA, however, it included more than just ceremony. There was chaos. At least, that was the promise, the forecasted threat, on the night before the first jab ignites the controlled violence.

Did it affect Madrimov? We won’t know until opening bell in a soccer stadium built on real estate that once included the old Sports Arena, a cornerstone to LA’s rich boxing history. But the look was a sure sign that the fight was already underway in the minds of both Crawford and Madrimov.  

“I was already the best at 154 when I stepped into this division,’’ said Crawford, a former undisputed champion at welterweight and junior-welter, who will fight for the first time at junior-middle against Madrimov, the champion about to make a first-time defense.

Madrimov is given a chance because of his familiarity at the weight. He’s a natural junior-middleweight. Then again, Crawford might be a natural force-of-nature. He’s on a roll, including a streak of 11 successive stoppages. 

The argument is that eventually a move up the scale will stop Crawford, end his pound-for-pound reign. Madrimov appeared to be unshaken by a look that has left a lot of Crawford opponents beaten before the first counter lands.

“I have a plan,’’ said the unbeaten Uzbek, who has been training in the desert east of Los Angeles under veteran trainer Joel Diaz’ guidance. “I have a plan to showcase my skills and prove I’m the best in this division.’’

Madrimov, mostly unknown among Mexican-American fans in Southern California, possesses athleticism and two-fisted power. Like Crawford, he’s versatile, able to switch from southpaw to orthodox and back.

A former gymnast, his footwork includes angles that could give Crawford problems. He’s an educated fighter, one who learned the craft through a decorated amateur career that includes more than 300 bouts. 

Translation: He knows what he’s doing. But, Crawford said, he’ll have to know a lot more than just that.

Crawford says he has beaten a lot of fighters whose resume includes trophies and medals.

“They all left the ring the same way, and I look for him to leave the same way,’’ Crawford said moments after a stare down that has always included an unmistakable look at him.

And what he intends to do. 

On The Undercard 

Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs), who is coming off a 23-month layoff,  faces Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs). Miller was at 305.6 pounds, the lightest Miller has weighed in six years. Ruiz was at 274.4 pounds, the heaviest he’s been since his rematch loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2019. “This is everything for me, of course it is,’’ said Ruiz, remembered for his huge upset of Joshua in New York. “I had everything in the palm of my hand. Then, it just went away. I want to be a damn champion again.’’

In another heavyweight fight,  promising Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) is in for his toughest test against Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs). Anderson was at a career-high 252.4 pounds. Bakole also came in at a career-high weight, 284.4 pounds.

Mexican junior-welterweight champion Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) got huge cheers from Mexican fans  He was at 140 pounds against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), who was at 139.8.

David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs), a Cuban living in Minneapolis, looks as if  he’s a possibility at light-heavyweight for David Benavidez, the Phoenix fighter who has decided to stay at 175 pounds. Benavidez relinquished his spot as the WBC’s so-called mandatory challenger to Canelo Alvarez’ super-middleweight title. Instead, Benavidez, who hopes to resume his career later this year, has a so-called mandatory shot at the 175-pound winner of Dmitry Bivol-versus-Artur Beterbiev in October. Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) will be at light-heavy for a vacant title against Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs). Morrell, who has scored seven successive stoppages, was at 174.8 pounds Friday. Kalajdzic was at 174.4.

Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO), an Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, was at 134 pounds for his lightweight bout against Antonio Moran, who came in at 134.8. Cruz is a Boots Ennis stablemate. “Boots will be here, at ringside,’’ Cruz said of Philadelphia’s welterweight champion. Ennis wants to fight Crawford, who instead might be in line for a big-money bout against 168-pound Canelo. 

By Norm Frauenheim –

LOS ANGELES — Terence Crawford says this is his era. That’s hard to dispute. Hard to prove, too.

All of the numbers on his resume support his claim. He’s been an undisputed champion in two divisions, welterweight and junior-welter. He’s unbeaten. He has scored eleven straight knockouts. He’s been at the top of the pound-for-pound debate for years. Other contenders emerge, then fall away. But Crawford is always there, consistently among the top five.

Yet, the critics are always there, too, persistent with doubts about the quality of Crawford’s opposition or the frequency of his fights. It’s a debate that has followed him throughout his career. It’s a debate, too, that is a simple matter of perspective and perhaps timing. There’s a reason for all of the questions about his opponents. Crawford made them look bad. From Jose Benavidez Jr. to Shawn Porter to Errol Spence Jr., he’s blown them all away.

In a different time or perhaps in a different era, would he have exhibited the same kind of dominance? Maybe, maybe not. But he can’t choose the time. He can only make it his own. Yet, the chance that he’s right — that this is in fact his era — is there as it never has been because of the discussion generated by that very question. 

Crawford can answer in his own way as he begins another chapter in his career amid fascinating talk about whether he could have held his own in a different era, the one writer George Kimball so perfectly described in his book, Four Kings.

It’s fair to wonder whether Crawford could have been a Fifth King. We’ll never know. But Crawford’s brilliant dominance in his time has become almost singular. Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler —  Kimball’s Four Kings — had each other. Their four-sided rivalry in the 1970s and 1980s  cemented their legends. 

Crawford only has himself. He’s a fighter without a rivalry in a sport known for the one rivalry that has become a historical reference point. Muhammad Ali needed Joe Frazier; Frazier needed Ali.

Crawford has yet to find that defining kind of rival. Look at his record. There are no rematches. Perhaps, he’ll fight Spence for a second time. But Crawford’s thorough beatdown of Spence in a timeless exhibition of instinct and skill in July of last year left little reason to want another one. 

Crawford’s dominance is double edged. He’s known as a finisher for what he does to opponents within 12 rounds. But he also finishes careers. Benavidez, once a prodigy, was never the same fighter after Crawford stopped him in the 12th in Omaha in 2018. Porter retired after Crawford forced him to surrender after the 10th. Spence still hasn’t fought since suffering a ninth round stoppage last July. 

There are no rivals in Crawford’s career. He finishes them before they can become one.

That’s why, perhaps, he searches for new ways to challenge himself and prove his critics wrong. He’s fighting Saturday (pay-per-view card starts at 1:30 pm ET/4:30 pm on DAZN, ESPN+, PPV.com) in Los Angeles for a fourth title at a fourth weight against a 154-pound Uzbek, junior-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov, in a stadium, BMO, built on real estate — the Sports Arena — known for much of LA’s rich boxing history.

Madrimov, mostly unknown to LA’s Mexican fan base, is big and athletic. A former gymnast, he did a back flip during media workouts at the San Monica pier this week in the build-up for the first Saudi-staged card in the Riyadh Season. 

The promotional marketing suggests he has enough size and power to upset Crawford. It’s intriguing, mostly because Crawford is attempting to win another belt in a step up in weight against a fighter expected to be dangerous, especially in the early rounds. In a face-off after Thursday’s final news conference, however, Crawford looked like the bigger man.

“A lot of people forgetting that I punch hard, and I’m strong too,’’ said Crawford, whose biggest rival has always been the skeptics among fans and media. “A lot of people are over-thinking this whole fight. They’re thinking ‘He’s the bigger guy, he’s the stronger guy’ especially since I’m moving up in weight.’’ 

It’s the kind of thinking  Crawford hopes to hear much more of, perhaps next year in a proposed fight against super-middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez. Saudi Prince and promoter, Turki Alalshikh,  wants to put together a Crawford-Canelo fight for a defining confrontation, one that could decide who is boxing’s greatest fighter in the post-Floyd Mayweather era.

Crawford, who will be 37 years-old on Sept. 28, already believes he’s that fighter, the best he says of his era and maybe in any other. Time is perhaps his biggest and only rival. It will be there, all over again, in another chance to make this time his time Saturday.

NOTES

Jaime Munguia will come back from a loss at super-middleweight to Canelo on Sept. 20 at Desert Diamond Area undefeated Erik Bazinyan in Glendale, AZ on Sept. 20, Top Rank announced this week. Top Rank recently signed Munguia, who will return to the Phoenix area. He beat John Ryder at Footprint Center, the Suns home arena, in January.

And it looks as if Desert Diamond will be busy this fall. The Boxing Hour confirmed a Boxing Scene report that Top Rank wants to stage a Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez Jr. rematch there on Dec. 7. Navarrete scored a punishing decision over Valdez at Desert Diamond last August.

EDDIE HEARN, MATCHROOM SPORT CHAIRMAN

“We want to thank the Crown Prince and of course His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. His passion and his belief to take Riyadh Season to what it was in Saudi Arabia to what it is a global phenomenon for boxing around the world.

“For me this is the greatest boxing card in American history. The movement is real and it’s unbelievable we all have heard of the Four Seasons but now there’s another season, Riyadh Season. Riyadh Season is now represented around the world and quality from the teams and thanks to this amazing moment in boxing with all these great promoters coming together. On Saturday night, we have the greatest fight card we have ever seen and BMO Stadium will be a spectacle for fight and sports fans from around the world with an incredible night of boxing.

“The first press conference was fine for an undercard. Now we step up to part two of the press conference and I look to my right and left and we have individual fights that could headline any fight on any platform, any network and any arena in the U.S. I think it just shows the depth of this card and in one crazy week in New York a couple of months ago when all the promoters from around the world came together to deliver this country’s greatest fight card they had ever seen. Then, Turki Alalshikh added two to three more fights and then he added Eminem.

“This in my opinion is the greatest fight card the country has ever seen. These three fights will set BMO Stadium on fire Saturday night, don’t miss it. What a night.
“We have been through the undercard of what is the biggest night of boxing in the history of this country. We are going to have a night you won’t forget and we are going to be full to capacity at BMO Stadium live on DAZN and around the world. It’s an honour to be a part of this event.

“For me Terence Crawford should be an American superstar. He’s everything that is great about sports and competition. His mindset is living his life like a true great and we should appreciate him while he’s here. He will be remembered as a true great of this sport.

“This guy to my left is a serious man (Madrimov). Since he turned professional he came out as one of the best amateurs from Uzbekistan we have. We have been waiting for an opportunity to show his greatness. Nobody ever wanted to fight him and he’s a 154-pound wrecking machine. Not just with power and chin, but with great movement and ring IQ. On Saturday night this will be the toughest fight of Terence Crawford’s career no doubt at all. You’re going to see a wonderful fight between two modern day greats.”

TERENCE CRAWFORD

“I would like to thank God for blessing me to be here today. I would like to thank Team Madrimov for accepting the challenge and thank you to Turki Alalshikh for putting an excellence card together and thank everybody for supporting all the fighters on the card.

“I’m expecting Israil (Madrimov) to come out and do what he’s been doing as he’s been phenomenal in the fights that he’s had. People are forgetting I’m strong and punch hard too. People keep thinking this whole fight he’s the bigger guy and stronger guy since I’m moving up in weight. We always have these same questions in other fights against bigger guys, but when they get in the ring with me I’m stronger than they thought.

“I’m going to be stronger at 154 pounds and be more energised. It’s going to be less stress on my body with the weight and I’m going to be ready. I’m good right now and I expect to win however it comes if it’s a knockout, a decision I expect to win.” 

BRIAN ‘BOMAC’ MCINTYRE

“The journey has been a struggle at times, but it’s been fun most of the time. I’m sure me and any of the team members wouldn’t want to change it. We build character inside the team and we are happy and excited to be here, but we came here to do a job.

“The challenge of moving to 154 and fighting Madrimov is a hill that you have to climb. I know that the team and everybody around the team want challenges like that so you can say we are the best out there. We have solidified that over the years.” 

ISRAIL MADRIMOV

“This fight is a big chance for me. I am fighting the best boxer in the world. This is a dream come true. I feel great and want to be a part of history.

“All the respect to team Crawford. As I said before he’s my favourite fighter, but at the same time I believe that I can prove that I’m the best in the world as well. I believe that anything is possible. My dream is to create something that nobody expects and do something and win the fight that nobody expects me to win and I believe I can do that Saturday.”

JOEL DIAZ

“We have a lot of respect for Team Crawford. We’re grateful for the opportunity, but everybody that knows us and my team knows that we train to win. We have been on the B side many times and we get the victory. I think Saturday night is going to be one of those nights. A lot of people don’t know Israil Madrimov, but he needed this fight. He needed this opportunity so that the world could know him. You guys are going to see what a great fighter, what a great athlete, and a person Israil Madrimov is.”

JARED ANDERSON

“I’m extremely honoured and blessed to be here. I’m basking in the moment. This is an amazing card, an amazing place to be… LA is an amazing place to be. I just know that I’m gonna show why I’m here and why they say that I’m the future.”

MARTIN BAKOLE

“I’ve always wanted a big fight and Saturday night I’m going to face the best heavyweight in America for my first debut in America. I’m so excited!”

ANDY RUIZ

“I know that he’s coming hungry, I know he wants to win, but so do I. I want to win, I’m hungry and I’m motivated. I’m physically ready and prepared.. Let’s do this!”

JARRELL MILLER

“One thing about me, I’ve never run from a fight. I never have and never will.

“I work hard, don’t get it twisted. When I’m in that gym I’m busting my ass.The Dubois fight woke up a demon in me man, it woke up a demon in me that I haven’t seen in awhile and come August third I’m beating Andy Ruiz up.”

ISAAC CRUZ

“We’re very very happy, we’re very determined, and we have a goal in mind which is to defend this newly won world title.

“We’re expecting the very best from [Valenzuela], but the main thing is that I’m coming into this really well prepared, and I’m intending to come away with the victory.

“We can’t wait to get started, we can’t wait to climb into that ring. I know that there will be a massive Mexican presence there, it’s going to be fantastic to hear so many Mexican fans there. We’re going to put on a great show, I know it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re going to put on a show, it’s going to be great.”

JOSE  VALENZUELA

“This is what I’ve been training for my whole life, we had a great training camp and I’m ready to make the most of it.

“I have the height, I have the length, I have the skills, and I’ve sharpened up everything to come prepared.”

ANDY CRUZ

“A big thanks to Eddie and everyone else putting this on and a big thank you to my team as well. We prepared really well and I’m honoured and pleased to be a part of the biggest bill in boxing this year possibly. I’m not one for talking too much. I think I’m ready and I think it’s better to leave any predictions and talk in the ring.”

ANTONIO MORAN

“Thank you to everyone and I am grateful to take part in such a massive event. I think in the game of boxing it’s more important to do your talking in the ring than out of the ring. I’ve gone through a lot and progressed a lot since my fight with Devin Haney and I’m ready to go on Saturday night.”

DAVID MORRELL

“Thank you everybody for coming. At 168, nobody wants to fight me so I’m going to 175, so I can fight the big name. That’s why I came out at 175 for this.” 

RADIVOJE KALAJDZIC

“I believe I am the underdog and I will leave it at that, but we will see on Saturday night. Regardless of size, David (Morrell) is good. He’s got skill, power and everything. It’s going to be a tough match and I believe he’s the best at 168 and now in this weight class we will see Saturday night.” 

MARCOS VASQUEZ

“First of all thanks to everyone who put this show on. I’m a guy from Tijuana just down the road and people from Tijuana don’t come into fights like this to lose. I’ve come here with full support from my coaches and we’ve put in a tremendous amount of work to build up to this. I know it’s a pleasure and an honour to be part of such a fantastic and momentous occasion. I’ve come here to do the business and to take the title back to Tijuana and my family.” 

STEVE NELSON

“Being on this card and I think everyone that put this card together, so to be on this card is a blessing. We train everyday and I train next to ‘Bud’ (Crawford) since I started boxing at the age of 21. To be here and to be in front of everybody to explain my talent is amazing. 

“This year it’s not even halfway through and it’s been a tough year for me. I’m usually the guy that is joking and playful, but right now I have a lot of tension that I have to let out. I’m sorry to my opponent and it’s nothing personal to him, but it’s personal to me.” 

ZIYAD ALMAAYOUF

“I want to thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince for the faith in me to be a flag bearer in such a revolutionary time for the Kingdom. I want to thank His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for believing in me and his unprecedented support.

“I just love the story that I am in because it’s a multigenerational story that I’m in. Every generation you get the power puncher, every generation you get the fast one, the slick one, but it’s only multi-generation you get the history maker, the superhero not just representing a state or city, but a country and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the whole Arab part of the world. I love to make history and I just want to make history on Saturday night. I want to become the first of many Saudi fighters who come after me so I can become the first champion from Saudi Arabia.” 

MICHAEL BULIK

“I’m very excited to be here and get the opportunity to show my skills on the big stage, so I can show you how I dance in the ring between the ropes so thank you for everything.

“It’s boxing so we are going to see what happens. I am going to show my best skills and see what happens in the ring. I want to finish the fight in the third round, but we will see what happens.”

SPENCER BROWN

“I just think this is the pinnacle of boxing. It’s great to be in LA with such talent. Every Riyadh  card we do there’s an upset and there’s always a big upset. I’m looking at these fights and it’s very 50/50. Andy Ruiz is coming back and we love him. It’s fantastic to see since he’s been out for two years. I think he’s going to be as good as he ever was.

“I think Jared Anderson is the future of heavyweight boxing and that’s not just from me but from the people I’ve spoken to. He has to get past Martin Bakole, who is a 6-foot-6 smashing machine that can fight against anybody. There’s going to be an upset on this card on Saturday night.

“We discussed putting this show on in America and we didn’t think it would get this big, but as we can see it’s a world class card. I have to congratulate Eddie Hearn for doing this as he’s the main powerhouse behind, him and Turki Alalshikh. This is just the start of it, you are going to see big events in the U.S. not just in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, but in the biggest boxing places in the world. One of his visions is America so we have to tip our hats off to him.” 

Crawford vs. Madrimov tops a blockbuster Los Angeles Riyadh Season Card this weekend, Mexico’s Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) defends his WBA Super-Lightweight World Title against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), former Unified Heavyweight World Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returns against New York’s Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), undefeated Heavyweight contender Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) collides with Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) in a an explosive match-up for the NABF and WBO International Titles, Cuba’s David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) takes on Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) for the vacant WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title, Olympic Lightweight Champion Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO )continues his 135lbs campaign when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) with the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American Titles on the line, unbeaten Super-Middleweights Steve Nelson (19-0, 15 KOs) and Marcos Ramon Vazquez (20-0-1, 10 KOs) meet over ten rounds and Saudi Arabian Welterweight talent Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO) fights in the US for the first time against Poland’s Michal Bulik (6-7, 2 KOs). 

LAS ANGELES (July 31, 2024) – Pound-for-pound great, three-division world champion, and two-division undisputed champion Terence “Bud” Crawford and WBA Junior Middleweight World Champion Israil Madrimov hosted an open media workout today at the iconic Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, Calif., in advance of their blockbuster pay-per-view event on Saturday, August 3 at BMO Stadium. The event, which will feature a guest performance by global superstar EMINEM, will be available live worldwide on DAZN PPV and ESPN+ PPV, and is brought to fans by Visit Saudi, MDL Beast, and Red Sea Global.

The event is promoted by Riyadh Season, Sela, League 1, and Matchroom Boxing in association with World of Boxing, TGB Promotions, Goldstar, Queensberry, Salita Promotions, and Warriors Boxing Promotions.

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) of Omaha, Neb., has won 11 straight fights by stoppage and is now moving up in weight to challenge Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) of Uzbekistan, who won the WBA 154-pound belt in March with a fifth-round TKO over Magomed Kurbanov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The stacked undercard features fan favorite, WBA 140-pound Champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs), as he makes his first world title defense against Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs). Former unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returns from an almost two-year layoff to fight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs). American heavyweight sensation Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) faces fellow knockout artist Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs). Cuban standout David Morrell Jr. (10-0, 9 KOs), who has won his last seven straight fights by stoppage, is stepping up in weight to meet former world title challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) for the WBA “Regular” Light Heavyweight Title. Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) seeks to continue his rapid ascension up the lightweight rankings against battle-tested Mexican power puncher Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) in a 10-round clash.

This is what the fighters had to say:

TERENCE CRAWFORD

“I feel great, come Saturday I got a treat for y’all. I’m expecting him to do anything he can to throw me off, but I said it before and I’ll say it again, this is the Terence Crawford era and I’m taking that belt.

“I’m just so competitive that when I think I’ve reached my ceiling, there’s always that extra push to do something that I haven’t done before.”

ISRAIL MADRIMOV

“I feel great, I’ve waited for this moment for a long time. My dream is coming true. Saturday night I’ll show every boxing fan a great fight.

“I’m only thinking about the victory, and I will show everything that I have inside the ring.”

JARED ANDERSON

“I’m ready to showcase all my talent and ready to show my whole arsenal. I’ve learned to stay on my plan, stick to the basics and win at anything necessary.”

MARTIN BAKOLE

“I feel great and I’m ready to go on Saturday night. I think I’m the better fighter and this fight is going to end in a knockout.”

ANDY “THE DESTROYER” RUIZ

“I feel good man, I feel amazing. I’m blessed to be here and August 3rd is going to be an amazing time. I’m more hungry than ever, I want to be a two time heavyweight champion of the world, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do Saturday.”

JARRELL “BIG BABY” MILLER

“I feel great losing 47 pounds and I put in all the work and I’m in shape. I feel because I have been out of the ring for so long that losing the weight helped me bring me back to the right technique.”

“ISAAC “PITBULL” CRUZ

“My team is up for it, we’re all motivated, and I’m convinced that the fans will come Saturday to watch a great fight. I think that I’m prepared for any fight that [Valenzuela] brings to me, we’ve got plans for any eventualities. I’m hoping for a great fight and to bring the title back home.

“I’d like to thank my fans with all my heart for their support, we’re all Mexicans together and we’re going to raise that Mexican flag high on Saturday.

JOSE “ EL RAYO” VALENZUELA

“This fight is a dream come true, to fight for a world title, this is it, the biggest stage.

“Winning the title would mean the world to me after all of the sacrifices my parents made to get me here.”

ANDY “ EL DIAMANTE” CRUZ

“I’m really happy to be here and feel motivated and can’t wait for Saturday night. I’m facing an experienced guy in the professional field of the game, but at the end of the day it’s a boxing match and I’m sure he will get the best out of me. I’m hoping this is a window that can push me even further into my career.”

ANTONIO MORAN

“I know Los Angeles has a pretty high Mexican population, so I feel they got my back and I feel they have my support and that will be in my favor. I think the experience can work in my favor and I have a bit more strength as well.”

DAVID MORRELL

“I feel great and it’s amazing to be here. It’s been a long time since I fought at 175 so I feel good and I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever fight it’s going to be and I’ve been training hard.”

RADIVOJE KALAJDZIC

“I want the best, that’s why I signed up for this fight. I want to fight the best fighters and he is one of the best. I just have to stick to the game plan in order to beat him.”

ZIYAD ALMAAYOUF

“I just saw the youngest person I could find to bring him to the ring so he could have his time and his opportunity like I would have wished somebody did with me when I was that young. I wanted to bring someone from Los Angeles here and bring someone from the younger generation here. 

“If you go back 10 years ago and you would have told me that one day I would make my U.S. debut on a Terence Crawford card I wouldn’t have entertained it and there’s no way it would ever happen.”

For additional fight information, please click HERE. 

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ABOUT CRAWFORD VS. MADRIMOV

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), presents a blockbuster world title clash as pound-for-pound superstar Terence “Bud” Crawford challenges Israil Madrimov for the WBA and WBO interim World Super Welterweight Title on Saturday, August 3. Sponsored by Visit Saudi, MDL Beast, and Red Sea Global, the event will take place at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif. The event, which will feature a guest performance by global superstar EMINEM, will be promoted by Riyadh Season, Sela, League 1, and Matchroom Boxing in association with World of Boxing, TGB Promotions, Golden Boy, Goldstar, Queensberry, Salita Promotions, and Warriors Boxing Promotions.

Cuban sensation Andy Cruz has promised to steal the show when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran for the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American Lightweight Titles on the undercard of Terence Crawford’s blockbuster clash with Israil Madrimov this Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, shown live worldwide on DAZN PPV.

Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.

The 28-year-old is now 3-0 (1 KO) as a professional since putting pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing back in May 2023, breezing past Juan Carlos Burgos, Jovanni Straffon and Brayan Zammaripa Rodriguez last time out at Caribe Royal Orlando in February.

Next up for the former amateur star is Mexico City’s ‘Tono’ Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs), a former WBO Latino Lightweight and WBA Fedecentro Super-Lightweight and Welterweight Champion, and Cruz is predicting fans will be treated to his best performance yet as he looks to light up LA.

“I’m really happy with my journey, I think I’ve really learnt a lot and I continue to keep learning,” said Cruz. “I think this is the beginning of a great career with Matchroom. I couldn’t be happier. These are the opportunities that I have been looking for and I really want to take advantage of them.

“In all my fights I feel that pressure to put on an explosive display but I think it’s a positive thing, it makes me sharper and it makes me more dangerous. I’m really going to put on a show. I don’t know much about Moran or his style but I’ve been working hard in camp and I know I’m going to put on a spectacular show.”

Cruz says he is coming on leaps and bounds under the guidance of Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis in Philadelphia alongside fellow Matchroom star ‘Boots’ Ennis, and the 135lbs contender believes he is in the best place to push on with his pro career. 

“I’ve adapted really well and I think it was a great decision to train in Philadelphia. I’ve really learnt a lot. Jaron is one of the best boxers I’ve seen. I’ve seen a lot of boxers with different styles and he’s really something special.

“We’ve sometimes have sparring sessions when other boxers don’t come to the gym – we spar each other and we interchange our abilities and our skills. It’s great gym experience. I try to incorporate some of his skills into my style.” 

Crawford vs. Madrimov tops a blockbuster Los Angeles Riyadh Season Card this weekend, Mexico’s Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) defends his WBA Super-Lightweight World Title against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), former Unified Heavyweight World Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returns against New York’s Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), undefeated Heavyweight contender Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) collides with Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) in a an explosive match-up for the NABF and WBO International Titles, Cuba’s David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) takes on Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) for the vacant WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title, Olympic Lightweight Champion Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) continues his 135lbs campaign when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) with the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American Titles on the line, unbeaten Super-Middleweights Steve Nelson (19-0, 15 KOs) and Marcos Ramon Vazquez (20-0-1, 10 KOs) meet over ten rounds and Saudi Arabian Welterweight talent Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO) fights in the US for the first time against Poland’s Michal Bulik (6-7, 2 KOs). 

LAS VEGAS (July 30, 2024) – Pound-for-pound great and three-division world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Israil Madrimov made their grand arrivals today at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, Calif., ahead of their 154-pound showdown on Saturday, August 3 at BMO Stadium. The event will be available live worldwide on DAZN PPV and ESPN+ PPV, brought to you by Visit Saudi, MDL Beast, and Red Sea Global.

The event will be promoted by Riyadh Season, Sela, League 1, and Matchroom Boxing in association with World of Boxing, TGB Promotions, Goldstar, Queensberry, Salita Promotions, and Warriors Boxing Promotions.

This is what the fighters had to say:

TERENCE CRAWFORD

“I feel good, I’m feeling great. I’m ready to fight but all my people always try to remind me to enjoy the moment because one day it’s all going to be gone, so embrace it while you can.   

“Like I always say everything happens for a reason and for that reason God didn’t bless me then, but he blessed me now when I’m more mature and can handle everything that comes my way. Who knows where I would have been had I got everything that I wanted when he was younger and immature.”

ISRAIL MADRIMOV

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment and we are here and just waiting for Saturday where I want a victory. I like this moment and the first time in my life and only imagined something like this would happen to me.

“Our training has been good and I’m feeling great. I want to make a good game plan and it will be a great fight on Saturday. I don’t think this fight is about the size, it’s about the experience and knowledge he can use. This division is my division and I’m the champion, I have to defend the belt.”

JARED ANDERSON 

“I can’t wait to see it and for him (Bakole) to show me if he could knock me out. Every fight gets me one step closer, I’m here to win, I’m here to perform, I’m here to put on a show for the crowd. As you can see they’re excited already. I’m just here to do my job.”

MARTIN BAKOLE

“I want to say thank you for my team and for having me today. I came to America on business, I did not come here to joke, I did not come here to play. I will knockout Anderson.

ANDY “THE DESTROYER” RUIZ

“Burritos and Nachos have been helping win all my fights and become champion of the world so nothing wrong about that. And that is exactly what I’m going to do on August 3. I’m going to win. I’m going to get this victory and this victory will be for God.

“No matter how tall you are. How big you are and how much muscle you have. It’s all about what you have inside. And I have a big heart.

“I feel really good. I feel sharp. We did all the hard work in the gym. Yes, I had a two-year layoff but that doesn’t mean that I was outside of the gym, you know. I was still training. I was still disciplined. Even through my ups and downs, God was with me and that’s why we are going to win on Saturday night. 

“I had it all and I wanted back. I was the unified heavyweight champion of the world and then boom. It went away. I want it back and I have to do. I know exactly what I did wrong. And I know what I have to do to get it all back.”

JARRELL “BIG BABY” MILLER

“I feel great. I haven’t been eating like my man Andy [Ruiz] here. I put down the tacos, burritos, the burgers and hard work baby. 

“I come to win. I come to knock people out. I destroy people. He may be the destroyer but I’m the one who destroys people. Ready to work.

“This is the opportunity to get back what I’ve lost. Me and Eddie [Hearn] have a bromance hell or behave relationship. But that’s life. You become a man. Have a conversation and sort things out and move on and move forward.

“This fight is not personal. Andy replaced me a couple of years ago and got that big check and now I have to fuck him up. I’m going to turn his ass into burritos and nachos after this one.” 

ISAAC “PITBULL” CRUZ

“I’m really happy to be fighting and I prepared very hard. It’s a great feeling to be coming to Los Angeles as a world champion. I’m going to put out a great show for the Californians and for my people from Mexico.”

“I want to give 1000% of what I got and I am going to give every once of energy, so the people can see my great performance and so I can deliver on Saturday night.”

JOSE “ EL RAYO” VALENZUELA

“All the hard work gives me confidence in this fight. I’ve been very focused and training hard and I’m ready to make the best of it. Just being smart and being relaxed will help me deal with the pressure during this fight.”

ANDY “ EL DIAMANTE” CRUZ

“I feel happy and motivated. I’m proud to be part of such a great event and I think we are going to put on a great show on Saturday night.”

“I have a great team behind me. I have made some adjustments thanks to my great team including Bozy Ennis. 

“I’m going to win. No matter what. I’m winning.”

ANTONIO MORAN

“We are going to put on a great spectacle. We are going to give the fans what they want.

“I think that the both of us are here because we are at a similar level. I have 38 fights under my belt. He’s good too. This is an even matchup.”

DAVID MORRELL

“I feel good. It’s been a long time since the last time I fought at this weight and I’m ready.” 

“I want to put on a good show for my people, for my fans. This is a new David Morrell. This Morrell at 175 is vicious. I’m excited about the opportunities at this division.”

RADIVOJE KALAJDZIC

“I feel great, I’m excited to be on this big event against a fighter live David so I can showcase my skills, and I’m just excited. He comes to fight, I come to fight, it’s going to be an exciting fight.”

STEVEN NELSON

“I’m here to get my opportunity and show the world that I can do it inside and outside of the ring, that’s why they call me ‘So Cold’ because I’m so cold in everything that I do.”

ZIYAD ALMAAYOUF

“The Saudi superhero is on a mission abroad. Batman has left Gotham City but he never doesn’t return. I’m here to do a job, I’m gonna do the job.” 

“As much pressure as this is, even more privilege comes with it, to be a flag bearer, to be a superhero, to be a symbol, to not only a state or a city, but a country as is in Saudi Arabia, but I can even go as far as saying the Arab world. That whole side of the world I carry with me when I go into the ring, and this is all due to the two holy mosques, the king, the crown prince and his excellency, Turki Alalshikh for giving me the opportunity and the faith, they gave it to the right guy”.

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ABOUT CRAWFORD VS. MADRIMOV

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), presents a blockbuster world title clash as pound-for-pound superstar Terence “Bud” Crawford challenges Israil Madrimov for the WBA and WBO interim World Super Welterweight Title on Saturday, August 3. Sponsored by Visit Saudi, MDL Beast, and Red Sea Global, the event will take place at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif. The event, which will feature a guest performance by global superstar EMINEM, will be promoted by Riyadh Season, Sela, League 1, and Matchroom Boxing in association with World of Boxing, TGB Promotions, Golden Boy, Goldstar, Queensberry, Salita Promotions, and Warriors Boxing Promotions.

Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV presents Junior Middleweight Championship Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimovlive thisSaturday, August 3, at 6 p.m. ET from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Riyadh Season Card is available for purchase on ESPN+ PPV in the United States. ESPN+ subscribers can purchase the $79.99 PPV here (a separate streaming subscription is required), and new subscribers can sign up for ESPN+ here.

Three-weight world champion and two-division undisputed king Terence Crawford looks to conquer a fourth weight class when he takes on WBA junior middleweight world champion Israil Madrimov.

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) moves up to 154 pounds following last July’s career-defining TKO over Errol Spence Jr. to win the undisputed welterweight championship. The Omaha, Nebraska, native and pound-for-pound superstar has won 11 straight fights by stoppage. Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), a native of Uzbekistan, captured the WBA 154-pound crown in March with a fifth-round TKO over Magomed Kurbanov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In the co-feature, former unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returns from an almost two-year layoff to fight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs). 

The Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV will also feature:

• American heavyweight sensation Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) steps up against fellow knockout artist Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs).
• WBA 140-pound champion Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) making his first world title defense against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs).
• Cuban standout David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs), winner of seven straight by stoppage, going for number eight against former world title challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) for the WBA ‘Regular” Light Heavyweight belt.
• Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) seeks to continue his rapid ascension up the lightweight rankings against battle-tested Mexican puncher Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

The undercard will also be available for fans on the ESPN App.

ESPN+: On Demand Shows, Archives & Premium Articles

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Crawford vs. Madrimov (All Times ET)

About ESPN | About ESPN+

Terence Crawford is out to remind fans why he is considered to be the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet when he takes on Israil Madrimov for the WBA and WBO interim Super-Welterweight World Titles at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles this Saturday August 3, live worldwide on DAZN PPV.

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is gunning to become a four-weight World champion as he moves up to 154lbs after conquering the Welterweight division with a stunning KO win over Errol Spence to be crowned the undisputed champion at 147lbs in Las Vegas in July last year.

The Omaha star, who headlines the first ever Riyadh Season card on U.S. soil this weekend, has already ruled the roost at Super-Lightweight and Lightweight, and now ‘Bud’ is arrowing in on cementing greatness by relieving Madrimov of his WBA 154lbs crown. 

“Realistically the next step was to do a rematch with Spence,” Crawford told Matchroom. “For whatever reason it didn’t happen, so I had to move on with my career. The ultimate goal was to try to get the Canelo fight. That didn’t happen, so we went to the next best thing.

“154 was wide open. I was looking to fight Charlo, he left, so I‘ve got a fight with whoever I could get for a World Title. Israil Madrimov is a tremendous fighter. He’s 10-0, already a World Champion. He’s a tough dangerous fighter. I think it’s going to be an exciting fight.

“I think he’s very strong. I think he’s ‘herky-jerky’. I think he’s illusive, he can box, he can brawl, he can move, he can take a punch and that make for a great fight. I know he’s going to train hard. I know his coaches will train him to be the best that he can be and come fight night he’s going to try to do any and everything to dethrone me from my top spot, even though he’s the champion.

“He wants what I’ve got and that’s the recognition, the accolades, the pound for pound spot. He wants to be on top of the world like myself. He’s going to be filled with so much energy to prove to the world that he belongs in the ring with the top fighters. I consider Israil the best 154lbs fighter in the division right now. So why not go for the top guy in the division, right off the bat?

“As for myself, I’ve been here before. This is nothing new. I know how to handle things like this. I know how to go about fighting these type of guys that have a lot to prove. Come fight night I will show the world once and for all, once again, why I’m the best fighter on the planet.”

Crawford says he has been hugely impressed by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s vision for boxing and the switch-hitting dynamo is proud to partner with Riyadh Season for their debut venture in the U.S.

“I’m very excited to be headlining His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s first card in the USA,” said Crawford. “I’m very excited for the first big event coming to America. Being the headliner of the event is a big honour. It’s going to be a tremendous event. There’s a stacked undercard and I’m just happy to be a part of it.

“In today’s age, it’s one of the best undercards that has been put together since back in the day. Pretty much six fights on the undercard could be main events. With that being said, all of them put on one card is a blessing. I’ve been talking to His Excellency for years now. This is the right time for us to partner up and do a big event. I’m quite positive that this is going to be a huge event.”

Crawford vs. Madrimov tops a blockbuster Los Angeles Riyadh Season Card this weekend, Mexico’s Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) defends his WBA Super-Lightweight World Title against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), former Unified Heavyweight World Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returns against New York’s Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), undefeated Heavyweight contender Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) collides with Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) in a an explosive match-up for the NABF and WBO International Titles, Cuba’s David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title against Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs), Olympic Lightweight Champion Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) continues his 135lbs campaign when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) with the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American Titles on the line, unbeaten Super-Middleweights Steve Nelson (19-0, 15 KOs) and Marcos Ramon Vazquez (20-0-1, 10 KOs) meet over ten rounds and Saudi Arabian Welterweight talent Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO) fights in the US for the first time against Poland’s Michal Bulik (6-7, 2 KOs). 

Israil Madrimov has warned Terrance Crawford that he has bitten off more than he can chew ahead of their hugely-anticipated clash for the WBA and WBO interim Super-Welterweight World Titles at the top of this Saturday’s unmissable Riyadh Season Card at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, live worldwide on DAZN PPV.

‘The Dream’ (10-0-1, 7 KOs) makes the first defence of his WBA crown against the toughest opposition possible after winning the belt in spectacular fashion in his last outing on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s brutal KO win over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. 

The Uzbek star took on Magomed Kurbanov for the vacant title and stopped the Russian in five rounds with a dominant performance to continue his impressive unbeaten run in the paid ranks, following a glittering amateur career.

Pound-for-pound star Crawford is attempting to create even more history as he bids to win a World Title in a fourth weight category after cleaning up at Lightweight, Super-Lightweight and Welterweight, but Madrimov is convinced that he is the man to shock the world and inflict a first career defeat on ‘Bud’.

“My dream has always been to fight the best boxers and the pound-for-pound boxers,” said Madrimov. “When I received the news that I would be making my first World Title defence against Terence Crawford I was very happy; let’s go! I am ready all of the time.

“I have always been a fan of Terence Crawford. I like his style. He has great movement. It’s a good style. It is true that he is one of my favourite boxers. There is always a first guy, and I want to be the first guy to beat him and to break all of the records.

“He doesn’t have any weaknesses. I haven’t seen any of those, but I will try to discover some. I am very excited to get this opportunity to make a statement, and I will Inshallah. I’m not Errol Spence Jr. I am Israil Madrimov. This is my division. 

“He’s moving up in weight. I’m the World Champion here, and I don’t think about him. I think about myself and I think about accomplishing my goals and winning this fight. It’s a huge honour and opportunity for me to show my skills and I want to win this fight in style. And still!”

Crawford vs. Madrimov tops a blockbuster Los Angeles Riyadh Season Card this weekend, Mexico’s Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) defends his WBA Super-Lightweight World Title against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), former Unified Heavyweight World Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returns against New York’s Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), undefeated Heavyweight contender Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) collides with Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) in a an explosive match-up for the NABF and WBO International Titles, Cuba’s David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title against Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs), Olympic Lightweight Champion Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) continues his 135lbs campaign when he takes on Mexico’s Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) with the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American Titles on the line, unbeaten Super-Middleweights Steve Nelson (19-0, 15 KOs) and Marcos Ramon Vazquez (20-0-1, 10 KOs) meet over ten rounds and Saudi Arabian Welterweight talent Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO) fights in the US for the first time against Poland’s Michal Bulik (6-7, 2 KOs). 

LOS ANGELES (July 23, 2024) — PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, returns to the ring when it live streams to boxing fans, in the U.S. and Canada, the summer’s most exciting and historic boxing card on U.S. soil, in a battle between undefeated champions.  Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), a three-division world champion from Omaha, Nebraska, will move up in weight to challenge WBA super welterweight world champion Israil ‘The Dream’ Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), a native of Khiva, Uzbekistan, who fights out of Indio, California.  In addition to Madrimov’s title, the WBO interim junior middleweight world title will also be on the line.  

Crawford extended his eight-year victory by knockout streak to 11 by stopping then-undefeated unified welterweight champion Errol Spence last year to become boxing’s first undisputed world champion in two different weight divisions in the four-belt era.  He will be looking to solidify his claim as the No. 1 pound for pound fighter.  Madrimov will be making the first defense of the world title he won on March 8, when he knocked out undefeated Magomed Kurbanov in the fifth round.  The stacked pay-per-view event, which marks the first time Riyadh Season will host a card outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will take place Saturday, August 3, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, emanating from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Priced at $79.99, the Crawford vs. Madrimov world championship event can be ordered by clicking here: PPV.COM – Crawford vs. Madrimov.

“Israil Madrimov is a typically tough, well-schooled Eastern European boxer.  But Terence Crawford is in another league.  The skill and dynamism he showed in upending Errol Spence offered a strong argument for pound-for-pound number one status, and Crawford is an intensely proud professional who never lets his guard down.  There’s no reason to suspect he will fail to master Madrimov, either by TKO or by lopsided decision,” said Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Lampley, who returns to the ring wars to co-host the exclusive viewer chat, in real time, during the PPV.COM Crawford vs. Madrimov world championship event live stream. 

Joining Lampley on the viewer chat will be award-winning boxing journalist Lance Pugmire and popular podcast host Dan Canobbio.  Jim, Lance, and Dan will also be providing exclusive fight week commentary and reports for PPV.COM‘s website and social platforms.

The Crawford vs. Madrimov pay-per-view live stream will also feature WBA super lightweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs), from Mexico City, in his first title defense, against WBA No. 5 world-rated contender Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), from Los Mochis, Mexico;  Cuban standout David Morrell, Jr. (10-0, 9 KOs), fighting out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, will be battling Serbian native Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs), fighting out of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the vacant WBA light heavyweight world title; former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs), from Imperial, California, against Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), from Brooklyn, New York; heavyweights Jared ‘The Real Big Baby’ Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs), from Houston, Texas, against Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs), a native of the Democratic Republic of The Congo, now fighting out of Airdrie, Scotland; and Cuban Olympic lightweight gold medalist Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO), from Miami, Florida, against Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs), from Mexico City, in a 10-round lightweight rumble.  

PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, will offer Crawford vs. Madrimov for $79.99 in the U.S. and Canada.  iNDEMAND, the parent company of PPV.COM, will also be carrying the event through its network of cable and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including: Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, Rogers, Bell, SaskTel, and Telus, among others.

LANCE PUGMIRE

Lance is a recipient of the Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism, the Boxing Writers Association of America’s highest honor.  He brings over 30 years of experience covering the sweet science for the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and The Athletic.  Lance currently serves as senior U.S. writer for BoxingScene.com.

DAN CANOBBIO

Danand former WBO junior welterweight world champion Chris Algieri have moved their popular Inside Boxing Livepodcast to PPV.COM, where they produce two fresh episodes weekly, provide onsite coverage during major pay-per-view fight weeks, host their own weekly live chat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, and join fight night live viewer chats.  For the latest episodes of Inside Boxing Live presented by PPV.COM, click hereInside Boxing Live – YouTube. 

About iNDEMAND and PPV.COM

iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership among three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.– Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDEMAND is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDEMAND delivers great content to more than 60 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 90 companies.  In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.COM, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports.  With the addition of PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turnkey PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers.  For more information, go to indemand.com.

By Norm Frauenheim –

So far, it’s been a summer defined by a new face, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, and a resurrected one, Jaron “Boots” Ennis. Now, it’s Terence Crawford’s turn to make a statement about himself and his place in an evolving game.

Safe to say, it’s changing.

Safe also to say, that nothing has changed about Crawford or his unshakable belief about where he belongs. 

Bud is back to re-affirm — or perhaps remind us with a re-make of legend Roy Jones Jr.’s Ya’ll Must’ve Forgot lyric — that his pound-for-pound dominance has defied time’s inevitable corrosiveness over the many months since beating Errol Spence last year with a masterful performance powerful enough to belong in just about any time.

Crawford, undisputed at welterweight and junior-welter, gets that chance on August 3 when he re-enters the bully pulpit at a heavier weight, 154 pounds, against Isrial Madrimov, a first time junior-middleweight champion, in an intriguing bout at a new arena on some historical real estate in Los Angeles. 

It’s a fight about possibilities and risk. It’s also a fight generating ticket sales and anticipation among fans anxious to see Crawford for the first time in about 13 months. He’s 36-years-old. He’ll be 37 in September, an age which usually means a fighter is beginning to exit his prime. Time and again, however, Crawford proves he’s unusual. 

Against Spence, his brilliance prompted many to wonder, indeed argue, whether he could have held his own in the 1970s and 1980s against Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns, writer George Kimball’s Four Kings. We’ll never really know. 

Nevertheless, Crawford might be the only fighter in today’s generation that some believe could have had a real chance — could have been a Fifth King — in what was a golden era. 

Some argue that pay-per-view star Canelo Álvarez belongs in the argument. Maybe, he does. It’s an interesting debate. Actually, it’s more than that.  It could be settled within the ropes instead of only in the imagination. 

Crawford-versus-Canelo is a real possibility — perhaps the biggest — attached to Crawford’s bid to win a fourth title at a fourth weight against Madrimov. Saudi Prince and Promoter Turki Alalshikh has the money to make it happen. 

After all, Saudi money is making the Los Angeles card happen, a first for the Riyadh Season, which is moving from the  Middle East to a longtime, lively fight town on the West Coast. Unlike Riyadh, there’ll actually be a crowd there, one which figures to include a huge number of Mexican and Mexican-American fans. Canelo fans.

They’ve known about the Crawford-Canelo possibility. They’ve heard the talk for months. Among fight fans — a diminishing population, there’s skepticism because of the difference in weight. 

Canelo is the undisputed super-middleweight champion, 168 pounds, two divisions higher than the weight Crawford will be at for the first time against Madrimov. On the scale, it just looks like a jump too far. 

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn believes it is. He says Canelo-Crawford won’t happen, mostly because it puts Canelo in a no-win situation. 

The Mexican, Hearn says, wouldn’t get credit for a win. Because of his weight advantage, he’d be expected to win easily. But Canelo, who lost to Dmitry Bivol in a jump to light-heavyweight in 2022, is seeking only credit attached to a dollar sign. Prince Alalshikh has that kind of credit — seven figures and more — to offer.

Still, Hearn believes Crawford will discover on Aug. 3 that he already has gone too far up the scale. Hearn believes Madrimov, a mostly unknown Uzbek with reported power and athleticism, can win. Of course, Hearn has to say that. He is Madrimov’s promoter

“These great fighters only get beaten when they go up the scale,’’ Hearn said at a news conference when Crawford-Madrimov was formally announced. “I’m hoping.”

Crawford was seated down the table from Hearn for the live-streamed newser.

“You hoping?’’ Crawford, already knowing the answer, interrupted. 

Hearn already knows what happens when you pick against Crawford. In March 2014, Crawford traveled to Scotland and scored a unanimous decision over Hearns-promoted Ricky Burns for his first significant title, the World Boxing Organization’s lightweight belt.

Still, Hearn’s many-sided interests includes another possibility: Crawford against Ennis. Ennis is coming off an impressive fifth-round stoppage of David Avanesyan in a Philadelphia homecoming last Saturday. 

Ennis, a 27-year-old welterweight champion, has long talked about a chance to fight Crawford. If the unbeaten Crawford loses or even struggles at 154 pounds against Madrimov, forget Canelo. 

Then, Hearn believes Crawford-versus-Ennis could happen in a season that might be remembered for Bam, Boots and Bud. Hearn said the possibility has already been mentioned in a conversation with Turki Alalshikh.

“He said if there’s no Canelo fight, he wants to make Boots-versus-Crawford,’’ Hearn said. “Would we do it? The answer: Of course.’’

But the aforementioned if leaves little doubt about Prince Alalshikh’s priority. First and foremost, he wants Crawford-Canelo in a bout that would attract so-called crossover fans for what could deliver a decisive answer, rare in any day and especially so in today’s balkanized business.

Who’s the best, Crawford or Canelo? On the historical scale, it would matter. It would determine the best fighter since the Floyd Mayweather era and perhaps one good enough to be a Fifth King.  

LOS ANGELES (July 8, 2024) —Three-weight world champion and two-division undisputed king Terence “Bud” Crawford looks to conquer a fourth weight class when he takes on WBA junior middleweight world champion Israil Madrimov on Saturday, Aug. 3, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Crawford-Madrimov tops a star-studded bill that includes Top Rank-promoted heavyweight sensation Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson, who steps up against fellow knockout artist Martin Bakole.

Crawford-Madrimov, Anderson-Bakole, and additional undercard fights will stream LIVE on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV.
 
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) moves up to 154 pounds following last July’s career-defining TKO over Errol Spence Jr. to win the undisputed welterweight championship. The Omaha, Nebraska, native and pound-for-pound superstar has won 11 straight fights by stoppage. Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), a native of Uzbekistan, captured the WBA 154-pound crown in March with a fifth-round TKO over Magomed Kurbanov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs), from Toledo, Ohio, is the sport’s preeminent heavyweight up-and-comer. He bested former world champion Charles Martin by decision last July, stopped Andriy Rudenko in five rounds the following month, and returned in April with a one-sided unanimous decision over Ryad Merhy. Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) has won nine straight fights and made a splash on the Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou bill last October, weighing in at a massive 299.5 pounds and dispatching former title challenger Carlos Takam in four rounds.

The Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV will also feature:

• WBA 140-pound champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) making his first world title defense against Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs).
   
• Former unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) returning from an almost two-year layoff to fight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs).
   
• Cuban standout David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs), winner of seven straight by stoppage, going for number eight in a 12-rounder at light heavyweight against former world title challenger Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs).
   
• Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) seeks to continue his rapid ascension up the lightweight rankings against battle-tested Mexican puncher Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

By Norm Frauenheim –

One year ends and another begins with a re-energized debate ignited by Naoya Inoue, who didn’t let a chance at a year-ending statement go to waste.

Inoue was efficient for his blend of power plus precision. He was extraordinary for his consistency. He’s not going anywhere. Neither is Terence Crawford.

A good case for both can made in Fighter-of-the-Year and pound-for-pound arguments. Take a poll, and you might get a draw.

From this corner, Inoue gets Fighter of the Year for his brilliance over two bouts, first Stephen Fulton in July and then Marlon Tapales Tuesday in Tokyo. He moves up in weight, from bantam to junior-feather, and continues to do what he did at junior-fly in 2014.

Fighter of the Year? How about Fighter of the Last Decade?

At the top of this pound-for-pound scale, however, it’s still Crawford for a singular performance, best of the year, in stopping fellow welterweight Errol Spence Jr. There’s a lot of talk that Spence was/is shot. Maybe. Still there’s no substantive evidence – no documented answers — to the questions included in all that talk.

What we did see was an extraordinary Crawford, whose dynamic skillset had a lot – perhaps everything – to do with making a onetime pound-for-pound contender look shot.

The eye test continues to say that nobody – not even Inoue — has Crawford’s quick-silver versatility or calculated ability to make the right adjustment at the right time. He’s still boxing’s best finisher, a fighter with a predatory instinct. He knows how and when to close the show.

With only one fight, however, he just didn’t do enough of it last year. Inoue did. Hence, this corner’s split ballot.

But there are no losers in this debate. It’s the debate itself, its intensity, that gives the business some vital momentum going into 2024.

The biggest news story in 2023 was Showtime’s decision in October to leave ringside after a 37-year run of boxing telecasts. In its final year, the network provided what could be a good springboard into a new — pivotal — year, especially with the pay-per-view bouts featuring Tank Davis-Ryan Garcia in April and Crawford-Spence in July.

A reported pay-per-view number of 1.2 million for Davis-Garcia proved there was still an audience out there, despite all the doom-and-gloom that suggested boxing was dying all over again.

Then, there was Crawford-Spence, a long-awaited fight that restored faith among hard-core fans that big fights could still get made.

What’s next? Amazon Prime. It and Saudi money figure to be the biggest stories in 2024. It’s still not known how much Amazon Prime will invest in the sport as boxing’s next broadcast platform. Meanwhile, the Saudis have already shown they’re willing to spend, especially on the heavyweights. But the sport’s inherent unpredictability is always a risk.

To wit: Joseph Parker’s one-sided decision over Deontay Wilder on Dec. 23 in a stunner that upset a bigger plan: Wilder-versus-Anthony Joshua.

Still, there are a lot of fights to be made, up-and-down the scale. Just listen to the Crawford-Inoue debate. It sounds like potential business.

Notes

Oscar Valdez Jr., badly bloodied and beaten by Emanuel Navarrete on August 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale AZ, is back in the gym, according to social-media footage posted this week. The 33-year-old Valdez is popular in Mexico and Arizona. The Mexican Olympian went to school in Tucson. The former featherweight and junior-lightweight champ hopes for a possible comeback in March.

More year-end talk: Crawford and Inoue are at the top of the debate. Devin Haney is third in most of the Fighter-of the-Year conversation. For the first-time, super-middleweight David Benavidez is getting mentioned among the first five possibilities. Benavidez probably wouldn’t put himself there. After his solid decision over Caleb Plant in March and beat-down of Demetrius Andrade in November, the Phoenix-born fighter said he still had to work to do to gain pound-for-pound recognition. But Fighter-of-the-Year consideration is the kind recognition that further strengthens his case for a shot at Canelo Alvarez in May or September

By Norm Frauenheim –

Risk & Reward was the message on Terence Crawford’s T-shirt at a weigh-in last Friday.

Then, it was subtle.

Nearly a week later, it’s big.

Pay-per-view numbers for the Showtime telecast of Crawford’s masterful triumph in a ninth-round stoppage of Errol Spence Jr. Saturday are evidence that risk & reward can work together instead of against each other in making fights.

Initial reports from Dan Rafael’s Fight Freaks Unite and Boxing Scene five days after the welterweight bout put the pay-per-view number at 650,000 buys. It could climb to 700,000. The reports are based on anonymous sources. There are conflicting reports of 550,000.

But either number is a success, especially for Crawford, who had never generated more than a reported 200,000 for a pay-per-view appearance.

Multiple people attached to the Crawford-Spence promotion in Las Vegas last week told 15 Rounds that 500,000 was the break-even point. The live gate at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena was a reported $21 million. The crowd was announced at 19,990.

Spence and Crawford could each collect more than $20 million each.

Crawford’s T-shirt said it all.

It was a subtle twist, a rewrite of the ratio that had been paralyzing the business for years. It was risk-to-reward.

It worked for Floyd Mayweather, a boxer-banker who retired unbeaten and used the ratio to become the world’s richest athlete with huge paydays that included Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and mixed-martial-arts celebrity Connor McGregor a couple of years later.

The ratio became the model for the generation that followed. What worked for Mayweather, however, didn’t work after him.

Increasingly, the reward factor outweighed the risk. In effect, it became risk-versus-reward instead of risk-to-reward. It paralyzed the game, turning it into an exasperating never-never land. There were fights demanded by the market, yet most never got past the bargaining table and into the ring.

A sure sign of a business breakthrough was delivered on April 22 with Tank Davis’ stoppage of Ryan Garcia. The PPV number for that one was reported to be 1.2 million. The live gate, also at T-Mobile, was reported to be $22.8 million.

The 136-pound bout – Garcia was finished by a body punch in the seventh — didn’t compare to Crawford’s singular performance in knocking down Spence three times. Showtime will replay the telecast Saturday (9 p.m., ET/PT). But Davis-Garcia reawakened a market, one still willing to reward real risk.

Nearly three months later, Risk & Reward were there.

First, on a T-shirt.

Then, in the ring.   

Valdez, Navarrete ready for AZ showdown

Oscar Valdez Jr. wraps up his training camp in Lake Tahoe, expecting a tactical challenge from unorthodox Emanuel Navarrete on August 12 at Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale AZ.

“We all know that Navarrete has an awkward style,’’ said Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs), a former two-division champion.  “We might not have the perfect sparring that can emulate his style.

“But we try to imitate him in the mitt work and strategy. He’s not your typical fighter that throws straight shots.”

Valdez is a slight betting favorite over Navarrete, a fellow Mexican and a former featherweight champion who moved up the scale and won the World Boxing Organization’s junior-lightweight belt in a difficult fight against unknown Liam Wilson, also at Desert Diamond.

Wilson, a late stand-in from Australia, knocked down Navarrete in the fourth round of a controversial fight on Feb 3, also at Desert Diamond.

Navarrete spit out his mouth piece. He gained some time to recover as the referee retrieved it. Navarrete went on to batter Wilson, scoring a ninth-round TKO of the tough Aussie.

“Winning this fight would boost my career significantly,’’ Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs) said from his camp in San Diego. “Personally, I would feel complete. What has been missing in my career is precisely a victory against someone like Valdez. It would fill me with pride to be part of such an iconic fight between Mexicans and come out victorious.”

Both fighters are well-known in Arizona. Valdez, a former Mexican Olympian who went to school in Tucson, is poised to fight for the sixth time in AZ.

Navarrete will fight for the third time in the state.

WHAT: Terence Crawford’s emphatic ninth-round TKO over Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday night on SHOWTIME PPV^®, in which Crawford became the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era, will premiere on SHOWTIME and will be available on streaming on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, this Saturday, August 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT giving fans another opportunity to witness what the Wall Street Journal called a “masterful performance” from Crawford, who also became the first male fighter to win the undisputed title in two weight classes. Spence vs. Crawford will also be available on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on day of premiere.

In a newly released clip from inside the ring during the immediate aftermath of the fight, Crawford approaches Spence and tells him, “I appreciate you. You know why? Because if it wasn’t for you, this would never have happened. So I appreciate you. You’re a hell of a fighter.” To watch the clip, go to: https://youtu.be/w9easTw4Ebk.

In addition, ALL ACCESS: SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD EPILOGUE will premiere immediately following the delayed telecast, capping a memorable buildup chronicled by the Emmy^® Award-winning series. As an indication of the historical significance and magnitude of Saturday’s event, Episode One of ALL ACCESS: SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD has garnered 2.2 million views, while Episode Two has 1.8 million views on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube channel alone.

Below are some notable headlines from Saturday’s event, which many are calling the most significant boxing match in decades, and Crawford’s performance, which has cemented him as No. 1 on most pound-for-pound lists.

High-Profile Headlines

• Associated Press — Crawford unifies welterweight division with 9th-round TKO in dominant performance over Spence

“The fight, the most-anticipated boxing match in several years, made Crawford the first undisputed champion in the 147-pound division in the four-belt era that began in 2004.

• The Los Angeles Times — Terence Crawford dominates Errol Spence Jr., earns ninth-round TKO

“Terence “Bud” Crawford saved his best performance for the biggest stage and delivered a virtuoso performance.”

• The New York Times — Terence Crawford Knocks Out Errol Spence in One-Sided Bout

“The rare matchup of two of the best pound-for-pound boxers ended with Crawford dominating the whole fight.”

• CBS Sports – Terence Crawford delivers performance of a lifetime in thrashing Errol Spence, and he’s not close to finished

“The virtuoso showing was nearly incomparable to any other in sports.”

• Yahoo! Sports — In a fight for the ages, Terence Crawford delivers performance of a lifetime vs. Errol Spence Jr.

“This, without hyperbole, was one of the greatest weeks for the frequently maligned sport of boxing in the last 50 years, if not longer…And Terence Crawford’s ninth-round TKO victory Saturday over Errol Spence Jr. for the undisputed welterweight title before 19,980 fortunate fans at T-Mobile Arena ranks among the greatest performances in a huge fight ever.”

• ESPN — Boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Terence Crawford or Naoya Inoue? And what about Errol Spence Jr.?

“His demolition of Errol Spence Jr. was more impressive in stamping his place (as No.1 pound-for-pound) than Mike Tyson’s 90-second dismissal of Michael Spinks in 1988.”

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About Paramount+

Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news and a Mountain of Entertainment™. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, the service’s cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME content including scripted hits, critically acclaimed nonfiction projects, SHOWTIME SPORTS^® (including industry-leading SHOWTIME Boxing) and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf to basketball and more, plus streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.  

LAS VEGAS –It’s always been what Terence Crawford said it was.

It’s his era.

This Bud is forever.

Terence “Bud” Crawford delivered the proof – definitively – Saturday with a devastating ninth-round stoppage of Errol Spence Jr. in front of a T-Mobile Arena crowd that roared, first in disbelief and then in just plan admiration.

At his best, Crawford has been The Sweetest Scientist of his generation. But the proof was always elusive for the welterweight from Omaha, a midwestern city in a state known more for college football, wheat and Warren Buffett than boxing.

“Nobody believed me,’’ Crawford said in a ring crowded with his fans, officials and cops.

They do, now.

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) was at his scientific best, breaking down fighters in a way nobody ever has. Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) had never been knocked down. Crawford floored him three times, once in the second and twice in the seventh.

Crawford’s many – now former – critics often complained about his resume. The question was always:

Who have you fought?

Spence and his trainer, Derrick James, asked exactly that question just a few days before opening bell.

But he dominated Spence as much as he has everyone else in his era. Perhaps, more so.

To wit: Crawford found himself in tougher fights against Shawn Porter and Jose Benavidez Jr. Porter’s dad threw in the towel after 10 rounds. Benavidez didn’t fall until the 12^th and final round.

Dominance defines Crawford, explains his era. He’s been so dominant that it’s almost hard to believe. Until now.

“It means everything because of who I took the belts from,’’ said Crawford, who added Spence’s three belts, giving him an undisputed four for the second time in his career. “They tried to blackball me. They kept me out. They talked bad about me. They said I wasn’t good enough and I couldn’t beat these welterweights.

“I just kept my head to the sky and kept praying to God that I would get the opportunity to show the world how great Terence Crawford is. Tonight, I believe I showed how great I am.”

There was no argument from Spence, who fought for only the third time since his scary auto accident.

“My timing was a little bit off,’’ Spence said.  “He was just the better man tonight.

“He was just throwing the hard jab. He was timing with his jab. His timing was just on point. I wasn’t surprised by his speed or his accuracy. It was everything I thought.

“We gotta do it again. I’m going to be a lot better. It’ll be a lot closer. It’ll probably be in December and the end of the year. I say we gotta do it again. Hopefully, it will happen 154 (pounds).”

Their contract includes a rematch clause. But Crawford’s dominance might erode the public demand for a sequel.

It was apparent in the second round. Crawford threw a left hand. Then a jab. Then a precise combination. Spence was down, down for the first time in his career. He looked confused. Defeat was on his horizon for the first time.

Seven rounds later, defeat was reality.

In the seventh, Crawford dropped Spence with a counter. He dropped him again with a right hook set up by an uppercut to the body.

It was just a matter of time. That time arrived in the ninth. Referee Harvey Dock looked at Spence, bloodied in the face and standing unsteady legs. Dock ended at 2:32 of the ninth.

“It was a good stoppage,’’ Crawford said.

It’s been an even better era..

Isaac Cruz wins split decision

Isaac Cruz is built like a boulder. He moves like one.too. He tirelessly pursues, picking up momentum from round to round like a stone moving down a slight incline. Don’t get on his way. Giovanni Cabrera did. Punishment was the price.

Somehow, Cabrera stayed upright. Somehow, he survived.

But he lost anyway, losing a debatable split-decision to the stronger, more aggressive Cruz Saturday night in the last fight before the long-awaited Crawford-Spence main event.

Two judges scored it for Cruz, 114-113 and 115-112. A third judge, Glenn Feldman had it 114-113 for Cabrera. Fledman’s score was announced first. The crowd groaned. But there was no outrage this time. Just questions.

“I thought I dominated the first,” Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs), of Mexico City, said through an  interpreter.

So did the crowd. But Cruz, who put himself in line for a shot at lightweight champion Tank Davis, hurt himself by holding in the eighth round. He was penalized a point. He also could never knock down the game Cabrera (21-1, 7 KOs, who is trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach.  

Repeatedly, Cruz fired menacing shots from a crouch. Lefts and rights from all angles were launched as Cruz seemed to spring up and forward at the taller Cabrera. A couple of the shots, successive left, landed and echoed throughout an arena that was beginning to fill up with restless anxious for the Crawford-Spence showdown.

40-year-old Nonito Donaire loses bid for another title

It was a Filipino hello. And a Filipino goodbye

A T-Mobile Arena crowd welcomed back Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao as a fan at about the same time it prepared to say goodbye to Nonito Donaire as a fighter.

It was a moment, a slice of Filipino history, that transpired late in a  Donaire loss to Mexican Alexandndro Santiago for the World Boxing Council’s bantamweight title in a pay-per-view bout Saturday on the Spence-Crawford card.

Doniare, certain to be a Hall of Famer, didn’t say he would retire in the immediate aftermath of a unanimous-decision defeat.

“I love the sport tso much,” said Donaire, a 116-112, 115-113, 116-112 loser.  “But I’ll have to go back, talk to wife and see what’s next.”

A long twelve rounds was evidence that very little is left. Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) looked every bit his age. He’s 40. He had hoped to become the oldest bantamweight champion ever. But Santiago proved repeatedly that it’s a younger man’s sport. Santiago (28-35, 14 KOs) displayed more energy and quicker feet.  

He made Donaire look almost stationary. The middle-aged Filipino no longer had the energy in his legs or feet to set up the Donaire power that still echoes over his many many years in the ring.

Yoenis Telez wins third-round stoppage

He was the stand-in. He also was the last one standing.

Yoenis Tellez, a substitute for injured junior-middleweight prospect Jesus Ramos of Casa Grande AZ, delivered power that surprised Sergio Garcia and then beat him Saturday in the Showtime pay-per-view opener on the Errol Spence-Terence Crawford card at T-Mobile Arena.

Tellez (6-0, 5 KOs), a Cuban, rocked Garcia (34-3, 14 KOs) with a right hand set up by a glancing left. Garcia’s knees buckled. It looked as if he might go down. But he caught himself and quickly sprung back up. This time, Telez was there to meet the Spaniard with anotherleft tnat  put him down.

Again, Gracia jumped up .But he had an uncertain look in his eyes as referee Robert Hoyle counted. Then, Garcia stumbled  as he tried to walk to his corner. That’s when Hoyle ended it, a TKO at 2:02 of the third round.

Steven Nelson remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Rowdy Legend Montgomery in a super middleweight fight.

Nelson, 167.8 lbs of Omaha, NE won by scores 100-90 and 99-91 twice and is now 19-0. Montgomery, 166.8 lbs of Victorville, CA is 10-5-1.

Jose Salas stopped Aston Palicte in round four of their 10-round super bantamweight.

Salas dropped Palicte to a knee in round four. Palicte got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 1:30.

Salas is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Palicte is 28-8-1.

Jabin Chollet wins second-round TKO

Jabin Chollet probably broke more of a sweat after the fight than he did during it.

Chollet (8-0, 7 KOs) headed out,  back into Vegas”s meltdown heat, after some quick work, a second-round stoppage  of Michael Portales (3-2-1, 1 KO) in a lightweight bout on the non-televised portion of the Spence-Crawford card Saturday at T-Mobile.

The overmatched Portales, of Hayward CA, was simply too small for Chollet, of San Diego. 

Demier Zamora wins easily, scores a scorecard shutout of Buzolin

He calls himself The War Machine. But there was no war Saturday. More like maneuvers.

Las Vegas lightweight Demier Zamora (12-0, 9 KOs) had all of the right ones, out-maneuvering Nikolai Buzolin (9-5-1, 5 KOs), of Brooklyn NY,  throughout eight rounds for a shutout decision in the third fight on the Crawford-Spence card. 

DeShawn Prather scores knockdown, wins narrow decision

Only a knockdown separated DeShawn Prather from Kevin Ventura .

A fifth round knockdown of Ventura allowed Prather to escape with a narrow victory in a welterweight fight Saturday afternoon about six hours before the Spence-Crawford showdown for the undisputed welterweight title at T-Mobile..

Prather (16-1, 2 KOs), of Kansas City, got a unanimous decision, 57-56 on all three cards against Ventura (11-1, 8 KOs), of Omaha.

First Bell: Spence-Crawford card off to a hot start

On the streets, there was no way to avoid the 112-degree heat. Inside T-Mobile Arena, there was no avoiding Justin Viloria.

Viloria (3-0, 3 KOs) got the Errol Spence-Terence Crawford show off to a hot start in a Saturday matinee, scoring a fourth-round stoppage of Pedro Borgaro (4-1, 2 KOs) in a junior-lightweight bout.

The aggressive Viloria, of Whittier CA, went on to land successive shots. By the fourth, a tiring Borgaro, of Mexico, looked defenseless. At 41 seconds of the round, referee Robert Hoyle ended it.

Follow all the action as Errol Spence Jr. takes on Terence Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight Title. NO BROWSER REFESEH NEEDED. THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Left to body from Spence…1-2…Counter left from Crawford…

ROUND 2 Combination from Spence..Double jab and combination from Crawford…Left from Spence..Jab from Craford..Left to body..BIG JAB FROM SPENCE AND DOWN GOES CRAWFORD…

ROUND 3 Hard combo from Spence…Hard counter from Crawford…Counter right..Jab..

ROUND 4  Body shot from Crawford…Left uppercut…Hard straight left…Doube jab and left hand from Spence…Hard jab from Crawford..Spence bleeding around the right eye

ROUND 5 hard counters from Crawford..Huge uppercut..2 rights from Spence…Goof left from Spence…Jab from Crawford..

ROUND 6 Massive jab from Crawford…Counter left…Left..

ROUND 7 Huge right,,Thudding jabs..COUNTER RIHGHT HOOK DOWN GOES SPENCE..Huge Body shot…BIG KEFT AND DOWN GOS SPENCE…

ROUND 8 Big left from Crawford

ROUND 9 HUGE COMBINATION,,,,SPENCE IS HURT…FIGHT STOPPED

Round 1 Lead left from Cruz
Round 2 Cabrera lands a jab to the body. Lunging left from Cruz..Left hook to the body..Lead left uppercut from Cabrera…Counter right from Cruz…Check right from Cabrera…
Round 3 Lead left from Cruz..Right to the head…
Round 4 Left from Cruz…
Round 5 Lead left from Cabrera…Left hook from Cruz…Nice right..Left hook..Jab, 2 rights and a hard left,…Big right..
Round 6 Left hook from Cruz…Big left and right..Left hook
Round 7 Overhand right from Cruz…Left and right..Hard left…Cabrera showing a great chin
Round 8 Good left from Cabrera..Overhand right from Cruz..CRUZ DEDUCTED A POINT FOR PULLING THE HEAD…Cuz lands flush shots…Overhand right…Heaving flurry
Round 9 Left uppercut and left uppercut to body from Cruz..Lead left hook to the head…
Round 10 Left hook to top of head by Cruz…
Round 11 Double left hook for Cruz..Left and jab from Cabrera 
Round 12

114-113 CABRERA….114-113 CRUZ….115-112 CRUZ

Round 1:Uppercut from Donaire

ROUND 2 Right from Donaire..Counter left hook..Double jab…Right from Santiago

ROUND 3 Big Right from Donaire…Santiago bleeding from right side of forehead

ROUND 4 Santiago lands a right…Uppercut

ROUND 5 Double jab-right hand from Santiago…Good left hook..Right inside…right and left at the bell

ROUND 6 Right from Santiago…Body work,,,Donaire jab..Body shot

ROUND 7 HEADBUTT CAUSES CUT AROUND LEFT EYE OF SANTIAGO…

ROUND 8 Counter left hook from Donaire..Uppercut from Santiago..Combinaton from Santiago..

ROUND 10 Good right from Santiago…

ROUND 11 Left hook from Donaire…Right from Santiago…Double jab…4 punch combination..

116-112 TWICE AND 115-113 FOR SANTIAGO

Round 1  Tellez Jabbing…Doublejab right hand..Jab from Garcia…Right from Tellez,,Left to the body..right uppercut from Garcia..Right
Round 2 Body shots from Tellez..Right and left from Garcia…Uppercut…Hard jab…Right from Tellez..
Round 3 left From Tellez…Right…HARD RIGHT ROCKS GARCIA AND ANOTHER DROPS HIN ON HIS BACK….HUGE FLURRY AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

By Norm Frauenheim 

LAS VEGAS – They are dangerous men. They’re engaged in what Mike Tyson once called the hurt business. But on the eve of hostility, they didn’t threaten each other.

They shook hands.

Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr., Brothers In Arms, reached across a scale Friday on a stage at T-Mobile Arena like partners, both agreeing to inflict the violence inherent to the business so aptly defined by Tyson.

By boxing’s modern standards, it was another unusual moment in what promises to be the biggest welterweight fight in years Saturday night on Showtime pay-per-view.

The last time two elite fighters stood on either side of a scale in Vegas, there was some unscripted drama. Devin Haney reached across with both hands, delivering a shove that sent Vasiliy Lomachenko tumbling on to the edge of the stage.

It was intended to generate attention and that’s what it got before Haney’s controversial unanimous decision over Lomachenko in late May.

But that shove was just more of the stuff that makes boxing look like another screaming exhibition of redundant outage.

Enter Crawford and Spence. They‘ve been trying to shove the business in another direction. It all depends on what happens in their much-anticipated fight for the 147-pound division’s undisputed title. Nobody is going to invest $84.99 in the pay-per-view to watch them shake hands.

Those hands are trained to hurt. Trained to spill blood. That’s why we watch. The danger is part of the attraction. But Crawford and Spence have been acting as if they know that. They know themselves. They know their audience.

Mostly, they know their craft and they don’t intend to dirty it up with trash talk or a pro-wrestling-like gesture.

Before the handshake, Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) leaned over and spoke to Spence (28-0, 22 KOs). What did he say?

“Nothing much, other than we’re about to make history,’’ said Crawford, who was a quarter of a pound lighter (146.75) at the staged weigh-in than he was at the official one Friday morning. “Best man wins.’’

That didn’t sound like the ever-defiant, often-angry Crawford, who got into a testy exchange with a Spence fan at a news conference Thursday. The fan mocked Crawford, who reacted profanely. It was if the fan was mocking more than just Crawford. He was mocking his craft.

From Crawford, the edgy counter was a rhetorical shove. He shoved that fan into silence.

Through it all, there has been some compelling byplay between Crawford and Spence. A deadly rivalry is at play between these Brothers-In-Arms. But only they can settle it.

They like to argue about who played the biggest role in making sure the fight happened after it looked as if the possibility was dead in the wake of failed negotiations last fall. Before their handshake, Spence said he offered thanks to Crawford.

“I said thank you for helping make this happen,’’ said Spence, who was two-tenths of a pound heavier (147) at the staged weigh-in than he was at the official one. “Of course, I was the one who made it.

“Hey, this is Spence-Crawford, not Crawford-Spence.’’

Who’s first or second  won’t matter if the welterweight partnership delivers a singular performance that fulfills expectations and enhances a deadly craft.

Undisputed Welterweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Errol Spence Jr. – 147 lbs.

Terence Crawford – 146.8 lbs.

Referee: Harvey Dock; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds

Isaac Cruz – 134.6 lbs.

Giovanni Cabrera – 134.2 lbs.

Referee: Tom Taylor; Judges: Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Benoit Roussel (Canada), Don Trella (Conn.)

WBC Bantamweight World Championship (Vacant) – 12 Rounds

Nonito Donaire – 117.2 lbs.

Alexandro Santiago – 117.6 lbs.

Referee: Celestino Ruiz; Judges: Max DeLuca (N.Y.), Chris Migliore (Nev.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Yoenis Tellez – 155.6 lbs.

Sergio Garcia – 155.4 lbs.

Note: Contracted weight is 156

Referee: Robert Hoyle; Judges: Guido Cavalleri (Italy), Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Patricia Morse Jarman (Nev.)

SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN 

Stream Live at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel and the

SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page

Super Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Steven Nelson – 167.8 lbs.

Rowdy Legend Montgomery – 166.8 lbs.

Referee: Mark Nelson; Judges: Eric Cheek (Nev.), Max DeLuca (N.Y.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

Super Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Jose Salas Reyes – 121.6 lbs.

Aston Palicte – 123.4 lbs.

Note: Palicte missed the contracted weight of 123 pounds. The fight will proceed as scheduled.

Referee: Allen Huggins; Judges: Chris Migliore (Nev.), Dave Moretti (Nev.), Mike Ross (Fla.)

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy^®-winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., and boxing historian Steve Farhood, who will serve as unofficial scorer. Four-time Emmy^® Award winner David Dinkins, Jr. will executive-produce the telecast with Bob Dunphy directing. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as the expert analyst.

The SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show co-host Luke Thomas, renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and accomplished sports broadcaster Kate Abdo. 

#         #         #

ABOUT SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD

Spence vs. Crawford will see unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth’’ Spence Jr. take on WBO 147-pound world champion Terence “Bud’’ Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, July 29 in a highly anticipated SHOWTIME PPV clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, plus future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire battles Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC Bantamweight Title. Kicking off the telecast is top prospect Yoenis Tellez dueling Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 10-round super welterweight attraction.

For more information visit sho.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.

The whose who of sports and entertainment is expected to be at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the Errol Spence Jr. – Terence Crawford Undisputed Welterweight Title fight in Las Vegas.

On the guest list are:

Mark Davis 

Robert Pattinson 

Cardi B 

Tracy Morgan 

DeMarcus Cousins 

Jerry Jones 

Andre Ward 

Brandon Marshall 

Shannon Sharpe 

Michael Irvin 

Deontay Wilder 

Gavin Maloof 

Damian Lillard 

Odell Beckham Jr. 

Offset 

Mario Lopez 

Tyronn Lue 

Sam Cassell 

Jamie Dornan 

Mike Tyson 

Mark Wahlberg 

Taylor Sheridan 

Paul Pierce 

Dean Spanos 

Lil Jon 

Emilia Clarke 

Micah Parsons 

Ryan Clark 

Floyd Mayweather 

Zab Judah 

Manny Pacquiao 

Gervonta Davis 

Rolando Romero 

Yordenis Ugas 

Jermall Charlo 

Jermell Charlo 

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS – Just when it sounded as if not much more could be said about Terence Crawford-versus-Errol Spence Jr., more was.

A lot more.

The last formal news conference at T-Mobile Arena took an unexpected turn Thursday. There was trash talk. It wouldn’t be boxing without at least some.

But this edition turned nasty with exchanges between fighters and fans from each of their camps.

At one point, it was punctuated by a racial epithet from Crawford, who used the N-word in an angry response to a Spence fan who had mocked his chances at beating Spence Saturday for the undisputed welterweight title.

“You ain’t gonna do nothing,’’ Crawford said to the fan. “You a (expletive), doing all that talking.’’

Initially, it was thought that the profane exchange was fueled by family members, who were at opposite ends of the seating arrangement in front of a stage on the floor at T-Mobile.

But Spence said the fan was not part of his family.

“He’s not a cousin,’’ Spence said. “He’s from Dallas.’’

Spence, who grew up in  the Dallas area, said Crawford went too far.

“He was definitely going a little too far,’’ Spence told reporters after the formal part of the news conference. “I mean, his people were saying stuff to me. I just smiled.’’

It wasn’t clear why emotional fans were even allowed to attend. The volatile moment – spontaneous combustion at a staged news conference – was sparked by the fight’s magnitude and escalating tensions as the opening bell nears.

Also, Crawford, who is known to be defiant, has never been afraid of confrontation. He has often said that he had a problem with his temper when he was younger.

The controversial language also stood out for another reason.

There was no real trash talk between the fighters themselves. Their mutual respect has been there since the fight was resurrected after it looked as if it would never happen in the wake of failed negotiations last fall.

Their mutual respect throughout the many media appearances doesn’t surprise Stephen Espinoza, Showtime’s President of Sports and Event Programming.

“If it’s Errol Spence, you’ve got to respect him,’’ Espinoza said just days before the pay-per-view bout. “If it’s Terence Crawford, you’ve got to respect him.’’

They do.

But fans and family put a different twist into the equation for a long-awaited fight that – for the last couple of months — has sold itself.

Even the trainers, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre for Crawford and Derrick James for Spence – got into the act Thursday.

McIntrye mounted the bully pulpit and said: “Comes a time when you can’t hide. War Time, War Time, War Time.’’

Then, it was James’ turn. He looked at McIntyre, a super-heavyweight who appears ready to go sumo.

“My chant is this: Time to Eat, Time to Eat,’’ James said. “Reason I’m saying this is he (BoMac) hasn’t missed a meal in years.’’

James and BoMac then went on to exchange a few more shots. James suggested that Crawford’s lofty pound-for-pound status and lone belt – The World Boxing Organization’s version of the 147-pound title – was manufactured against questionable opposition.

“Who you fought,?’ James said as he looked at Crawford.

Finally, BoMac just said:

“Shut the eff up.’’

On a hot afternoon when a news conference was about to go off the rails, that was the best suggestion of all. 

LAS VEGAS – July 27, 2023 – Undefeated boxing superstars Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford faced off Thursday at the final press conference before they meet to crown the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era this Saturday, July 29 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

To kick off the main event portion of the press conference, legendary heavyweight champion Mike Tyson conducted a coin toss to determine which fighter would walk to the ring last on Saturday night. Crawford won the toss and can now decide whether he would like to walk to the ring last, or be introduced last once in the ring.

The press conference also saw pay-per-view undercard fighters face off before their respective matchups on the telecast beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The pay-per-view will see hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and undefeated contender Giovanni Cabrera battle in a WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator that serves as the co-main event, future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire take on Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Championship, plus top prospect Yoenis Tellez duels Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in the telecast opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from T-Mobile Arena:

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“I’m gonna win because I’m the better fighter. I’m better physically and mentally. I’m more durable. I’m gonna break him down and break his will.

“It would mean a lot to be undisputed. It would mean that I’m one of the greatest welterweights to ever lace up a pair of gloves.

“He’s gonna find out that my skills are superior. He’s talented, but when we talk about what my coach teaches, he’s gonna see that I have great offense, defense and stamina. It’s more than just talent.

“This is gonna be legendary. Make sure you tune-in. This is gonna be an old school fight. It’s gonna be iconic. You’re gonna want to buy this fight. You’re getting your money’s worth.

“People are gonna talk about this fight 30 or 40 years from now when you talk about legendary fights. They’re gonna talk about this fight the same way they talked about the ‘Four Kings’ era. There’s gonna be an amateur 20 years from now watching our fight on YouTube and saying man, I want to be in a fight like that.

“Everyone knows it’s ‘Strap Season’. I want to thank my parents, because they blessed me with the resiliency to get through a lot of stuff in life. Make sure you order the fight on SHOWTIME PPV. I guarantee you I’m gonna put on a great show. Bring your seasoning on Saturday night, because we’re gonna have a crawfish boil. Bring that hot sauce too.

“I guarantee you it’s gonna be nothing but fireworks from start to finish.”

TERENCE CRAWFORD

“I don’t go in there looking for the knockout, I go in there looking for the win. If he gets out of line he’s gonna be the next one going down.

“Everyone knows what time it is. I’m ready and he’s ready. We’re gonna have a fish fry come Saturday.

“He’s gonna find out the same thing that everyone else finds out. He’s gonna say that on TV I look one way. In the ring he’s gonna be seeing three of me.

“They say he’s the big bad wolf, but come fight night we’re gonna find out if he’s all that he says he is. He’s gonna have to show me.

“Everything about me is better than Errol. When you look at what I do in the ring, it’s better than what he does. Come fight night, I’m going to prove every doubter wrong. I’m going to show that I’m the best fighter in the world.

“This is the Terence Crawford era. When you look at my body of work in each weight class, you can’t deny that. This is my era. I’ve never had a close fight. I’ve never had a fight where people thought I lost. I’ve looked spectacular every time.

“This is what we do every time we come out. That talking can turn bad real quick. Support your fighter, and let’s come together and make this event a success.”

DERRICK JAMES, Spence’s Trainer

“There’s no more talking. Nothing else to say. My chant is, it’s time to eat. It’s time to make it happen. We’re tired of talking. It’s time to go. Show time.

“It takes a lot of fortitude, discipline and focus to win fights like this. Errol has that. He knows his time is on Saturday. We made this happen. We took every belt and beat champions to get here.”

BRIAN “BO MAC” MCINTYRE, Crawford’s Trainer

“We’re here now y’all. There’s nothing else to say. He can’t hide anymore. It’s time to take care of business. It’s time to go to work.

“We’re gonna find out who the best man is. I respect them for what they’ve done. We’ve been here before. You’re trying to get here. I can tell you how it is to be undisputed. Sit back and watch.”

ISAAC CRUZ

“I’m going to come out on Saturday and prove my worth. I’m going to show why I deserve a rematch with Gervonta Davis.

“I’m coming here to do my job and send a clear message. I’m not overrated, I’m worth every penny. I’m here to show everyone what I can do inside the ring.

“Let’s see who eats whose punches and who can withstand the most. I am going to eat Cabrera up.

“I’m a real Mexican fighter and I’m gonna show everyone what I can do once again on Saturday night.”

GIOVANNI CABRERA

“I’ve beaten more unbeaten fighters than most in boxing history. If you look at Cruz’s first 20 fights, most of those opponents were not good at all. I believe that I’ve earned my spot here and that I’m going to take the win.

“I’m 21-0 for a reason. Everyone I know has tried to take my head off and I’ve picked every single one of them apart.

“I want to represent Chicago and my Mexican blood. I’m here to give it my all, put my soul on the line and make sure I don’t regret anything.

“I hope he’s hungry; he’s going to eat a lot of punches. I am coming here to eat ‘Pitbull’ tacos.”

NONITO DONAIRE

“I gambled in my last fight, and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Going into this fight, I just have to show everyone that I’ve still got it. I’m doing it for me now and to show what I’m capable of. I love the sport and I’m grateful that I’m getting the opportunity.

“The power at this age is so much more potent. I put so much more into it. Not just emotion and experience, but I put every essence of a man into this.

“I have to give big respect to my opponent, he’s never been down. But I’m the type of guy where if I see the opportunity, I’ll take it. There’s nothing more satisfying than a knockout.

“I don’t really look into the extra stuff. I have a bigger vision ahead of me. I want to become undisputed. That’s the only thing that I haven’t done in boxing. I’ve gotten lots of accolades, but never been undisputed. That’s my biggest purpose and that’s why I’m still fighting.

ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO

“In 2018 when I fought for the title, I was young. That fight is in the past. Through hard work, discipline and having a great team, I was able to grow. I’m way more mature now. I came here to become a world champion.

“All respect to Nonito. But on Saturday night people all over the world are going to get to know me and see what I’m capable of. I’m gonna put on a show for everyone watching.

“I have a fire inside of me. I want to make this dream come true. It’s not just about the objective, it’s about the journey. I’ve enjoyed how I’ve gotten here. My son was born two months ago, so this goes out to him and my family. It makes me want this even more.”

YOENIS TELLEZ

“This is just about taking advantage of a great opportunity given to me. We put experience to the side, because I just have to do my job and focus on winning.

“I promise that you’re going to see another Cuban fighter with championship potential. You’re going to see someone who’s skill is rising fast. The fans are going to see something they will definitely enjoy.”

SERGIO GARCIA

“I would have done the exact same thing he did. I’m not in a position to underestimate anyone. I have to win this fight to get what I want. What he does is his business.

“I’m going to show you what I can do. I don’t have to promise anything. I’ve trained so hard and you’ve seen that I’m the kind of fighter who leaves it all on the line. I’m going to give the fans the show they deserve and let the chips fall where they may.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“I’ve been in this business over 35 years and I haven’t been this pumped up in a long time for a fight. This is spectacular and as good of a matchup as you can get.

“We have the two best fighters in the world, both unbeaten world champions and just so talented. It’s gonna be an all-out war from start to finish.

“When you look at the skills of each fighter, everything is so equal. Everything is so close between them. It’s gonna come down to who wants it more. It’s about mental toughness and who can dig down the deepest. There will be a new undisputed pound-for-pound champion on Saturday night.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, SHOWTIME Sports

“We are in the business of helping to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Saturday night is exactly that. It’s not a boxing match or a television show. Calling it those things doesn’t do it justice. A fight of this magnitude with these stakes is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

#         #         #

ABOUT SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD

Spence vs. Crawford will see unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth’’ Spence Jr. take on WBO 147-pound world champion Terence “Bud’’ Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, July 29 in a highly anticipated SHOWTIME PPV clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, plus future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire battles Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC Bantamweight Title. Kicking off the telecast is top prospect Yoenis Tellez dueling Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 10-round super welterweight attraction.

For more information visit sho.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.

LAS VEGAS – July 26, 2023 – Fighters competing on the Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford SHOWTIME PPV undercard showed off their skills at an open to the public media workout on Wednesday before they step into the ring this Saturday, July 29 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The workout featured hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and undefeated contender Giovanni Cabrera, who battle in a WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator that serves as the co-main event, future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire and Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago, who meet for the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Championship, plus top prospect Yoenis Tellez and Spanish contender Sergio Garcia, who duel in the telecast opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

The event also saw special appearances by the main event combatants Spence and Crawford, who addressed the fans in attendance ahead of their long-awaited clash Saturday night.

“It’s strap season, and we’re going to crawfish boil another guy on Saturday night,” said Spence. “We’re going to cook him up real good, so everyone make sure you bring your cajun seasoning… It’s going to be one for the history books. This is going to be one you’ll be talking about for a very long time.” 

“It’s another day in the office. I’m prepared for everything that’s going to come with securing a victory Saturday,” said Crawford. “I’ve been here before, and now it’s just a waiting game…You can expect fireworks and the best Terence Crawford that you guys have seen.”

Here is what the undercard fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:

ISAAC CRUZ

“I’m just going to have to be smart, and not get into his game. I need to dictate everything.

“The big fights and the big moments I’ve had definitely helped me mature, and the quality of opponents I’ve had have made me better ever since I fought them.”

GIOVANNI CABRERA

“His [Isaac Cruz] name is Pitbull. I thought he was going to bite me [at the fighter arrivals]. Good thing he didn’t.

“The bigger the anger of the beast, the harder he is going to fall on my sword. I am a bull fighter. I am a matador. Every fighter I have faced has tried to take my head off and I’ve picked them apart.”

NONITO DONAIRE

“Everybody showed up to dance around, but I’m going to show all of these guys what this old man can do.

“I’m going to keep going. I’m going to keep fighting, and I’m going to get that undisputed bantamweight title. That’s the only thing I have not done. I’ve done everything else – Fighter of the Year, Knockout of the Year, multiple divisions unified.”

ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO

“I fully respect a legend like Donaire outside the ring no matter what, but inside the ring, my hunger to win is unparalleled and I don’t care who is in front of me.

“It is an advantage that I am young, but Donaire’s a very dangerous fighter regardless of his age. I’m not about to underestimate him because he punches really hard and can be very dangerous if you let him.” 

YOENIS TELLEZ

“I’m good enough, I’m skilled enough and I’m hungry enough to take on something like this. When you have an opportunity to fight on a huge card like this one, it’s impossible to turn it down.

“There are so many things we want to do Saturday night. We’re going to put on a show, and you’re going to see me show out.” 

SERGIO GARCIA

“I’m so honored to be a part of this with all of you. All I want to do is put on a great show, because that’s what you all deserve.

“It doesn’t surprise me one bit that Tellez took this fight. Who wouldn’t take a fight like this on a card like this regardless of how many fights you’ve had beforehand? Experience will just be one factor of many in this fight.”

#         #         #

ABOUT SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD

Spence vs. Crawford will see unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth’’ Spence Jr. take on WBO 147-pound world champion Terence “Bud’’ Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, July 29 in a highly anticipated SHOWTIME PPV clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, plus future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire battles Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC Bantamweight Title. Kicking off the telecast is top prospect Yoenis Tellez dueling Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 10-round super welterweight attraction.

For more information visit sho.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.