Crawford vs. Madrimov Betting Preview: Crawford Plans to Test His Power at Higher Weight Class

August 2, 2024

4 months

Terence Crawford put together one of the biggest beatdowns in recent memory on Errol Spence Jr. last July. Crawford took nine rounds to become the first undisputed welterweight champion since 2006. It was an impressive display of showmanship that made you question how good Spence even was.

The question for Crawford is how do you follow that up? What Crawford decided to do was go up in weight class and attempt to challenge Israil Madrimov for his WBA super welterweight title in Los Angeles on Saturday. Choosing to fight Madrimov is an interesting choice for Crawford.

Madrimov only has 11 professional fights under his belt. The Uzbekistan native is unbeaten, but doesn’t have nearly the depth in competition that Crawford has seen throughout his career. Online boxing news shows that Crawford shouldn’t expect his opponent’s lack of experience to trouble him.

This is a legacy kind of fight for Crawford. Another victory would give him a championship in four different weight divisions. While the opponent doesn’t have large name value, continuing to add championships will be important for Crawford as his career continues to develop.

Madrimov is a Tough, Powerful Puncher

Don’t expect Crawford to steamroll Madrimov. There will be an adjustment period for the talented American. Crawford, who is a three-division champion and undisputed champion at 140 and 147 pounds, will fight at junior welterweight for the first time. Crawford has built his career by being a boxer with a high amount of skill.

His ability to think on his feet and be in smart positions is a big plus as well. During his career, Crawford has knocked out 31 of his 40 opponents. Adding to his KO total will be tough against Madrimov. Madrimov is a hard puncher and won’t be intimidated by how physical Crawford is. Madrimov is a much more active fighter than Crawford.

He also benefits from training with Dmitry Bivol, who upset Canelo Alvarez in 2022. Despite Madrimov’s toughness, there are levels to boxing. Madrimov still has to prove that he can hang with the big dogs. Despite his game as a power puncher, he will have a hard time getting those punches through against Crawford.

Bets to consider: Crawford by KO/TKO/DQ (-140), Under 10.5 rounds (-110)

Can Ruiz Regain His Form?

Andy Ruiz was briefly the heavyweight champion of the world. He pulled off one of the division’s biggest upsets in decades when he knocked out Anthony Joshua back in 2019. Ruiz would lose the title a few months later when Joshua won the rematch.

What Ruiz is hopeful for is that a big win over Jarrell Miller this weekend can propel him back into the little picture. Miller is an interesting heavyweight prospect. While his 26-1-1 record is solid enough, Miller has struggled with keeping his weight under control.

Miller weighed 333 pounds for his last fight. That proved to not be a great situation for him. Miller hoped the extra weight would allow him to develop more power; instead, it drained his gas tank. Daniel Dubois took advantage of the decreased cardio for Miller.

Dubois stopped Miller in the 10th round. This fight could play out similarly, as Ruiz may not be close in weight with Miller. While this fight is juiced to go to a finish, this is a good spot to bet on Ruiz to win by knockout. The price is worth taking a flier on the outcome.

If Miller comes in too heavy again, Ruiz should be able to take advantage.

Bets to consider: Ruiz by KO/TKO/DQ +260, Under 8.5 rounds +215

Strong Heavyweights Ready to Square Off

Jared Anderson would like to break through to the next level of heavyweight contention. He has collected a bevy of minor titles, according to the latest boxing news online. Anderson has also produced 17 victories to start his career, including 15 by knockout.

Anderson’s opponent this weekend, Martin Bakole, hasn’t been as active when it comes to fighting for minor titles. Bakole last picked up a belt when he won the vacant WBC International heavyweight title. But he never defended the belt.

Bakole is 20-1 in his career with 15 KOs. He picked up a pair of knockouts during 2023 and is set for what should be an explosive affair with Anderson. This is a fight where backing either side by KO isn’t a bad play. Both boxers have dynamite in their hands and should be able to cause a lot of chaos.

Bets to consider: Under 8.5 rounds, Anderson by KO (+175)

Cruz Has Tank on His Mind

Isaac Cruz is getting ready to make his first defense of his WBA super lightweight title. But the fight this weekend against Jose Valenzuela isn’t the battle that Cruz has at the front of his mind. Boxing news & results show that Cruz’s most recent loss came to Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Despite many people having crumbled under Tank’s power, Cruz didn’t. Instead, he dragged Tank to the scorecards before having the judges score the fight the other way.

Valenzuela isn’t an opponent who should give Cruz too big of an issue. He has a 13-2 record during his career but has lost two of his past three fights. Cruz is a high-level fighter who has grand ambitions for his career.

Valenzuela may not suffer a knockout defeat, but he will have a hard time hanging with Cruz. Cruz won’t want to lose his title, so he can continue to have leverage to call out Davis.

Bets to consider: Over 9.5 rounds, Cruz by decision

Here are the rest of the fights on the card not mentioned above: