Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov Tips: Awesome Crawford to stay undefeated

Unbeaten superstar Terence Crawford's bid to become a four-weight world champion sees him take on WBA light-middleweight champ Israil Madrimov in an eagerly-awaited bout in Los Angeles on Saturday. Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) moves up to 154lbs following his victory over Errol Spence Jr a year ago, which saw him become undisputed welterweight champion.

The 36-year-old is after yet more glory having previously held world titles in the welterweight, super-lightweight and lightweight divisions, and is the hot favourite when he meets Uzbekistan fighter Madrimov, who won his belt thanks to an impressive fifth-round knockout of Magomed Kurbanov in March.

Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov Betting Tips

• Terence Crawford to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 7/1
• Terence Crawford to win in rounds 9-12 @ 47/20

Terence Crawford to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 7/1

Crawford’s most recent fight was the stunning victory over Spence last July when he turned in a dominant display, eventually winning via ninth-round technical knockout to become the first undisputed welterweight champion since 2006.

The Nebraska native is now widely regarded as the pound-for-pound king and the first male boxer in the four-belt era to claim undisputed championship status in two weight divisions will approach the showdown with Madrimov without any fear, despite being well aware of the threat the dangerous Uzbekistani poses.

Crawford will not have an easy ride against an opponent – who, at 29, is seven years younger than him – and the manner of Madrimov’s performance against Kurbanov demands his respect.

However, Crawford is a winning machine, and it would be a surprise to see the fight go the distance as the American aims to keep his perfect record intact with another devastating display of power.

Terence Crawford to win in rounds 9-12 @ 47/20

Crawford will be preparing himself for a tough test against Madrimov, who has won 10 of his 11 professional bouts. His only blemish came against Michel Soro two years ago in London when their rematch was declared a technical draw following a clash of heads in the third round which left Soro with a considerable cut near his left eye.

His stats suggest he is the much more inexperienced fighter, but Madrimov was a prolific winner at amateur level and won gold medals in 2017 and 2018 at the Asian Championships and the Asian Games.

He should ask questions of Crawford in LA but ultimately looks set to come up short against such an accomplished opponent.

Crawford has been victorious in the ninth round or later in five of his last eight fights, and it could be a similar outcome this weekend.

Tip 1: Terence Crawford to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 7/1

Tip 2: Terence Crawford to win in rounds 9-12 @ 47/20

Odds: Crawford 2/15, Draw 18/1, Madrimov 24/5

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation