While Israil Madrimov has a massive challenge in front of him against Terence Crawford, the WBA super welterweight champion is already plotting a huge callout if he can shock the world on August 3rd.
After just 10 fights as a pro, Israil Madrimov will get the opportunity of a lifetime next month. While many fighters would relish the opportunity to face pound-for-pound superstar, Terence Crawford, the Uzbekistan native is the man who won the sweepstakes and will get the opportunity to hand the future Hall-of-Famer the first loss of his career next month.
Related: How to Watch Crawford vs. Madrimov on DAZN – Start Time, Price, And Fight Card
However, while Crawford has become the mountain many up-and-coming fighters have wanted to climb, a clash with the American was never a bout on Madrimov’s bucket list as he made his way into the professional ranks four years ago. Nor was there any specific boxing legend he targeted for a future fight.
“Before I turned pro I wasn’t really watching all the professional fights. I’d only be watching big fights but I wouldn’t pay attention to all the fights,” Madrimov told Ringside Intel. “When I turned pro I started watching more of it, recognizing some of the greatest and Terence was one of those guys. I never thought about fighting him, or anyone else.
“It’s just I appreciated watching him. Learning things from him and always dreaming about one day being on that stage and [becoming] a big boxing star,” he added. “But never paid much attention to who I’m going to fight [one day]. Whoever was there I was ready to fight, starting with my debut … Did I think I was going to fight him? No, but did I dream about stuff like that, yeah.”
Also Read: Terence Crawford’s next fight – Everything you need to know about “Bud’s” August return
Israil Madrimov vs. Canelo Alvarez next after a win over Terence Crawford?
Beating Crawford would be a career and life-altering moment. It would instantly turn him into one of the greatest boxers to come out of Uzbekistan and instantly make him a superstar. A victory would give him the clout to call for more big fights, and Madrimov would be very interested in the opportunity to mix it up with the biggest name in the sport right now, Canelo Alvarez.
“Everyone’s dream is to fight the biggest name fighters. And I’m thinking about the task ahead of me, Terence Crawford,” Madrimov said. “Obviously, I see all the talk and people are talking about Canelo-Crawford. Maybe it’s time to talk about Madrimov-Canelo. After the fight, of course, I am going to look for the biggest fights. The opportunity to fight Canelo is a special one. I would love that one right after Crawford.”
Also Read: Canelo Alvarez’s next fight – 3 opponent options for the Mexican superstar’s return
There have been rumblings for months about a potential clash of pound-for-pound stars between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez. However, a victory for Israil Madrimov would completely scrap those plans.
Madrimov vs. Crawford takes place on August 3 inside BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The fight will air exclusively on DAZN.
