By David A. Avila
A Hollywood crowd saw Terence “Bud” Crawford slowly whittle away the strength of WBA super welterweight titlist Israil Madrimov and gain late momentum to win by unanimous decision on Saturday.
It was a typical Crawford fight.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) performed for the first time in front of a Los Angeles fight crowd that included Kate Beckinsale, Eminem, Vince Vaughn and many others, but Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) proved to be strong as advertised at BMO (formerly Banc of California) Stadium.
The 11-fight knockout streak by Crawford was snapped by the Uzbekistan fighter.
It was Crawford’s fourth division world title and proved to be the toughest to achieve as Madrimov showed speed, guile and resilience aside from strength. No knockdowns were scored.
Both fighters displayed a patient approach. It figured to be a wise decision as Crawford was facing the heaviest champion in his career. He took his time studying Madrimov’s moves and rhythm.
“Madrimov was a tough competitor,” said Crawford. “Real strong and durable. Made it to round 12.”
Madrimov was slightly more aggressive in the first half of the fight. Though wary of Crawford’s counter-punching abilities, he seemed confident he could absorb his blows and did.
“I fought the best pound-for-
pound fighter in the world,” Madrimov said.
The Uzbekistani fighter who trains in Indio, California with Joel and Antonio Diaz, was not ready to give up his title on the first defense. And he was not squeamish about exchanging blows with Crawford, despite his vaunted power.
Madrimov gained momentum as the fight headed through the first six rounds. Then Crawford began to unleash counters and combinations.
In the eighth round momentum changed when Madrimov connected with three consecutive rights. Crawford took a stand and countered with a right uppercut to the body that forced the champion to clinch. Then Crawford followed up with his own flurry of blows that changed the flow of the fight.
Crawford began using ramming right jabs that stunned Madrimov. Though the champion did not surrender, Crawford was clearly in control now.
“I didn’t want to rush in. That’s how I got caught,” Crawford said.
For the remainder of the fight Crawford gained control but never dominated. Whenever it seemed he hurt the champion such as the double right uppercuts in the 12th round, Madrimov would mount a sudden rally.
The crowd in the stadium seemed unsure of the judge’s verdict but all three saw Crawford as the new champion 115-113 twice and 116-112.
“He fought a good fight,” said Crawford of his foe. “He was real strong.”
Rayo Upsets Pitbull
In a battle between two Mexicans, Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) crashed the party and took away Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz’s (26-3-1, 18 KOs) WBA super lightweight title by split-decision after 12 rounds.
It was Cruz who attracts crowds in Los Angeles but despite the fan support, once again he discovered fighting hard-hitting southpaws can be a tricky business. Shades of the Gervonta “Tank” Davis fight that took place in 2018.
Valenzuela trained in Riverside, California for this fight and ever since working at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, the Mexican from Los Mochis has tightened up all the loose ends. He needed tightening against the tornado known as “Pitbull.”
The shorter Cruz rushed Valenzuela like a rabid dog with punches firing at a delirious pace. His challenger avoided most of the blows and slipped under the right while pivoting out of range. It was a tactic repeated throughout the 12 rounds.
Occasionally Cruz connected and but mostly Valenzuela fired off jabs and counters while sliding away. It became a theme of the fight.
Valenzuela gained respect in the third round with a right uppercut to the charging Cruz. After that, the charges were less furious and allowed Valenzuela to get into a groove. But Mexico City’s Cruz proved always dangerous.
Perhaps sensing a change in the fight Cruz opened up more “whup ass” in the eighth and ninth rounds and the two Mexican warriors opened up their artillery with savage blows. Both absorbed big blows and neither seemed overtly hurt.
After 12 rounds one judge saw Cruz the winner 115-113, but the others saw Valenzuela the new champion 116-112 twice.
“I felt I was in control the whole fight,” Valenzuela said.
Cruz was respectful of the judges and said he was glad to give fans an entertaining fight.
Photos credit: Al Applerose
A Hollywood crowd saw Terence “Bud” Crawford slowly whittle away the strength of WBA super welterweight titlist Israil Madrimov and gain late momentum to win by unanimous decision on Saturday.
It was a typical Crawford fight.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) performed for the first time in front of a Los Angeles fight crowd that included Kate Beckinsale, Eminem, Vince Vaughn and many others, but Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) proved to be strong as advertised at BMO (formerly Banc of California) Stadium.
The 11-fight knockout streak by Crawford was snapped by the Uzbekistan fighter.
It was Crawford’s fourth division world title and proved to be the toughest to achieve as Madrimov showed speed, guile and resilience aside from strength. No knockdowns were scored.
Both fighters displayed a patient approach. It figured to be a wise decision as Crawford was facing the heaviest champion in his career. He took his time studying Madrimov’s moves and rhythm.
“Madrimov was a tough competitor,” said Crawford. “Real strong and durable. Made it to round 12.”
Madrimov was slightly more aggressive in the first half of the fight. Though wary of Crawford’s counter-punching abilities, he seemed confident he could absorb his blows and did.
“I fought the best pound-for-
pound fighter in the world,” Madrimov said.
The Uzbekistani fighter who trains in Indio, California with Joel and Antonio Diaz, was not ready to give up his title on the first defense. And he was not squeamish about exchanging blows with Crawford, despite his vaunted power.
Madrimov gained momentum as the fight headed through the first six rounds. Then Crawford began to unleash counters and combinations.
In the eighth round momentum changed when Madrimov connected with three consecutive rights. Crawford took a stand and countered with a right uppercut to the body that forced the champion to clinch. Then Crawford followed up with his own flurry of blows that changed the flow of the fight.
Crawford began using ramming right jabs that stunned Madrimov. Though the champion did not surrender, Crawford was clearly in control now.
“I didn’t want to rush in. That’s how I got caught,” Crawford said.
For the remainder of the fight Crawford gained control but never dominated. Whenever it seemed he hurt the champion such as the double right uppercuts in the 12th round, Madrimov would mount a sudden rally.
The crowd in the stadium seemed unsure of the judge’s verdict but all three saw Crawford as the new champion 115-113 twice and 116-112.
“He fought a good fight,” said Crawford of his foe. “He was real strong.”
Rayo Upsets Pitbull
In a battle between two Mexicans, Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) crashed the party and took away Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz’s (26-3-1, 18 KOs) WBA super lightweight title by split-decision after 12 rounds.
It was Cruz who attracts crowds in Los Angeles but despite the fan support, once again he discovered fighting hard-hitting southpaws can be a tricky business. Shades of the Gervonta “Tank” Davis fight that took place in 2018.
Valenzuela trained in Riverside, California for this fight and ever since working at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, the Mexican from Los Mochis has tightened up all the loose ends. He needed tightening against the tornado known as “Pitbull.”
The shorter Cruz rushed Valenzuela like a rabid dog with punches firing at a delirious pace. His challenger avoided most of the blows and slipped under the right while pivoting out of range. It was a tactic repeated throughout the 12 rounds.
Occasionally Cruz connected and but mostly Valenzuela fired off jabs and counters while sliding away. It became a theme of the fight.
Valenzuela gained respect in the third round with a right uppercut to the charging Cruz. After that, the charges were less furious and allowed Valenzuela to get into a groove. But Mexico City’s Cruz proved always dangerous.
Perhaps sensing a change in the fight Cruz opened up more “whup ass” in the eighth and ninth rounds and the two Mexican warriors opened up their artillery with savage blows. Both absorbed big blows and neither seemed overtly hurt.
After 12 rounds one judge saw Cruz the winner 115-113, but the others saw Valenzuela the new champion 116-112 twice.
“I felt I was in control the whole fight,” Valenzuela said.
Cruz was respectful of the judges and said he was glad to give fans an entertaining fight.
Photos credit: Al Applerose