Home » Crawford seks WBA middleweight title against Madrimov: sources

Crawford seks WBA middleweight title against Madrimov: sources

Terence Crawford seeks the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight title against Israil Madrimov in August, according to sources.

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Terence Crawford will move up to 154 to challenge Israil Madrimov for his WBA title Aug. 3 in Los Angeles, sources told ESPN.

The event will be presented by Riyadh Season under His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. First Saudi boxing event outside the Kingdom.https://t.co/5CucH5otOS

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) April 19, 2024

CRAWFORD EYES WBA JR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE IN LA

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is eying the WBA jur middleweight title held by Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in Los Angeles on August 3, sources told ESPN.

The 36-year-old undisputed light welterweight and welterweight champion last fought on July 29 last year, when he defeated Errol Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) via technical knockout.

This will be Crawford’s debut match in the 154-pound division after he failed to secure a match against new WBO and WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs).

Crawford was also linked to fight IBF king Jaron “Boots” Ennis (31-0-1, 28 KOs) but has since avoided him.

Terence Crawford seemingly confirming reports that he will be working with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh moving forwards and fighting Israil Madrimov on Aug 3rd… pic.twitter.com/qlmzPZ3lIF

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 20, 2024

ALALSHIKH TO BACK CRAWFORD-MADRIMOV TITLE FIGHT

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, chair of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, will present the fight under his Riyadh Season in association with Sela Sport.

The Crawford-Madrimov fight will be Alalshikh’s first boxing event outside Saudi Arabia since the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz bout in 2019 and the Joshua-Francis Ngannou fight in March.

Alalshikh was also behind the Tyson Fury-Ngannou fight in October last year, and the Joshua-Deontay Wilder matchup in December.

Saudi Arabia will host two Alalshikh-backed title fights this year: the Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight championship fight on May 18 and the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed light heavyweight title bout on June 1.

TGB Promotions, the promoter of PBC events, sent a letter to the WBA on Thursday (obtained by ESPN) clarifying that Charlo has no objection to Crawford meeting Madrimov first.

"[Charlo] hereby requests to be reinstated as the WBA super champion at 154 pounds. We also want you to… https://t.co/J7sUO8bZCo

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) April 19, 2024

MADRIMOV TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST CRAWFORD AS CHARLO WAITS

Madrimov won the WBA title when he pulled off a fifth-round TKO win over Magomed Kurbanov in Riyadh last month.

That fight was part of the Joshua-Ngannou undercard.

The 29-year-old Uzbekistan fighter faces Crawford as former undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo awaits him.

Charlo initially sought to fight Madrimov, who was described as the WBA champion in recess.

TGB Promotions, promoter of PBC events, said in a letter to the WBA on Thursday that Charllo has “no problem” with the Crawford-Madrimov fight.

However, TGB wants Charlo reinstated as WBA super champion at 154 pounds.

Charlo eyes a comeback fight possibly against Fundora, Spence, or Tim Tszyu, among others.