Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov are taking part in the official weigh-in for the public, which just started in Los Angeles!
Crawford, confident in his size and power, believes he can match Madrimov in these aspects. However, many experts caution against Crawford trying to out-slug Madrimov, as it may not be a favorable strategy for the 36-year-old fighter from Nebraska.
This fight serves as a crucial audition for Crawford, who aims to impress Canelo Alvarez and set up a potential bout in early 2025. To capture Canelo’s attention and entertain the fans at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Crawford may need to engage more aggressively with Madrimov rather than relying on a defensive strategy. Madrimov, who is expected to rehydrate to the mid-170s by fight night, will bring formidable power to the ring. To avoid getting overwhelmed, Crawford might have to adapt his fighting style, as he hasn't faced an opponent with Madrimov's power before.
Boxing expert Chris Algieri, speaking on Probox TV, expressed skepticism about whether Crawford can boost his popularity at this stage in his career. Algieri noted that while Crawford is immensely talented, he lacks the personality and charisma needed to become a crossover star like Sugar Ray Leonard. Despite Crawford’s significant accomplishments, his fighting style and public persona have not captured the mainstream appeal necessary for broad stardom.
Crawford’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, mentioned that Crawford’s under-promotion started during his time with Top Rank. Hearn believes that Top Rank did not see the crossover appeal in Crawford, leading to a lack of promotion. This issue has persisted even as Crawford moved to new promotional platforms. Hearn and Algieri both agree that part of the responsibility falls on Crawford for not engaging more with the media and fans outside the ring, which is crucial in the current social media-driven world.
As Crawford prepares for his bout against Madrimov, he faces the dual challenge of securing a victory and enhancing his appeal to potential future opponents and fans. A standout performance on Saturday could pave the way for bigger fights and more significant opportunities. However, to achieve this, Crawford must not only excel in the ring but also work on building a more engaging public presence to solidify his status as a top draw in boxing.
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