Terence Crawford was crowned a four weight world champion in Los Angeles last night, as he landed a narrow decision victory over Israil Madrimov.
Despite it being Crawford’s first fight at light middleweight, he was a heavy favourite against WBA belt holder Madrimov, with the boxing world seemingly more fixated on a potential showdown with Mexican star Canelo Alvarez.
However, it was clear from the opening stages that ‘Bud’ wasn’t going to have it his own way, with the talented Uzbek matching him in what was, in large parts, a cagey affair.
Though as he so often does, Crawford found the extra gears when he needed to and closed out the contest the stronger of the pair, getting the better of the two final rounds – which were the most entertaining of the fight.
It went to the judges and, after a nervy wait, it was announced that the Omaha man had emerged victorious, with the scores 116 – 112 and 115 – 113 x2.
Valenzuela stuns Cruz
The WBA super lightweight world title changed hands in the co main event, as Jose Valenzuela was awarded a split decision upset win over Isaac Cruz.
Cruz, as always, was constantly on the front foot letting big punches go, however found Valenzuela too slick and, with ‘El Rayo’ fit enough to maintain his movement through the contest, came up short.
By split decision!
Jose Valenzuela is the NEW WBA World Super Lightweight Champion 👏👏👏#CruzValenzuela #CrawfordMadrimov #RiyadhSeasonCard pic.twitter.com/8TuQSlCJEA
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 4, 2024
Ruiz and Miller slug to a stalemate.
After what was a thoroughly engaging twelve round battle, there was nothing to separate the mammoth Andy Ruiz Jr and Jarrell Miller, with the fight scored a majority draw.
Ruiz was far too sharp for Miller in the early ages swept the first four. The tide was soon turn however, as ‘Big Baby’s pressure began to tell and the former unified heavyweight champ quickly looked fatigued.
Though the Brooklyn man, for the most part, dominated the second half of the contest, ‘The Destroyer’ dug deep enough to grind out a couple of the rounds and thus there ended up being no victor.
Bakole obliterates Anderson.
In the earlier heavyweight attraction of the evening, Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) scored a career best win over the previously undefeated and heavily hyped Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs).
Bakole had Anderson down and badly hurt in the first, and though the young American recovered well over the next couple of rounds, it was clear the 31-year-old’s size, power and speed was a bit too much for him. Anderson found himself on the canvas three times in round five, at which point referee Jerry Cantu decided enough was enough.
Morrell labours but Cruz shines
In his first outing at light heavyweight, David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) was expected to make light work of Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs), however he ended up delivering an underwhelming decision victory.
Former amateur star Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs), on the other hand, looked better than ever as he scored a seventh round stoppage win over Antonio Moran (30-7-1, 21 KOs)
Further undercard recap
Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) protected his unblemished record with a stoppage win over Marcos Rodriguez (20-1-1, 10 KOs), and Riyadh Season regular Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0-1, 1 KO) was held to a draw by the unheralded Michal Bulik (6-7-1, 2 KOS)
