Israil Madrimov ‘Very Confident’ Of Beating Terence Crawford, Says Trainer Joel Diaz
Israil Madrimov is “very confident” he will beat Terence Crawford on Saturday, according to the WBA super-welterweight champion’s trainer Joel Diaz.
Madrimov (10-0-1 7 KO) puts his world title on the line at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles against pound-for-pound superstar Crawford (40-0-0 31 KO), who is aiming to become a four-weight world champion.
Crawford, fighting at the 154lbs weight limit for the first time in his future Hall of Fame career, is the strong favorite to secure the victory. Theirs is the headline bout of a mega-card put together by the powers behind Saudi Arabian boxing, who will host an international Riyadh Season card for the first time.
However, Diaz has put a compelling case forward that his fighter will shock Crawford and the world on Saturday night.
“He’s been 100 percent disciplined … he makes his opponents uncomfortable and it’s not going to be easy for Crawford,” Diaz told ProBox TV. “Israil is very confident.”
Madrimov enters the fight as the much less experienced professional, although he contested more than 300 amateur bouts. He won the vacant world title in his most recent bout in March, stopping Magomed Kurbanov in the fifth round of their belt in Riyadh.
Madrimov will hold the size and weight advantage – the Uzbek’s non-fighting weight is around 175lbs, while he is eight years younger than the 37-year-old Crawford.
“Those who know boxing know what age does,” Diaz said. “Every camp has wear and tear. A lot of things give me hope. Crawford was great at 140. Now, he’s moving up to 154. Madrimov is a solid 154. We’ll see how Crawford’s punches affect him.
“Israil’s given me a lot of hopes he’ll come out victorious,” Diaz added. “He gets stronger each round. He’s really smart and has a killer instinct.”
The accomplished trainer, who trained former world champions Timothy Bradley Jr and Julio Diaz, is fully aware of the challenge that awaits his fighter. Crawford is arguably the finest boxer of his generation and is the first male to win undisputed titles in two divisions.
After accomplishing the feat at super-lightweight, ‘Bud’ did the double by putting on a clinic against long-time rival and the previously unbeaten Errol Spence Jr in July last year.
“It’s a very tough task. Terence Crawford is the best fighter pound-for-pound and very well-rounded. It’s an honor to work on a plan to beat him. We have a good strategy with a good fighter,” Diaz said.
“You don’t know what to expect with Crawford, and Madrimov is the same way. They both dominate their stances from both [sides], so we’ve had good left-handers, right-handers, speed guys so we can be ready,” Diaz continued. “We’ll expect Plan A, B and C versus Terence Crawford. We know [who] we’re stepping into the ring against.”
