Terence Crawford beats Israil Madrimov to become four-weight world champ and opens door to Canelo Alvarez super-fight
TERENCE CRAWFORD became a four-weight world champion after victory over Israil Madrimov – and opened the door to fighting Canelo Alvarez.
Crawford, who has won titles from 135lb to 154lb now, was last year accompanied to the ring by rap icon Eminem before he beat Errol Spence Jr.
And Slim Shady – real name Marshall Mathers – performed to the Los Angeles crowd.
What proceeded were 12 gruelling rounds as Crawford was made to work to retain his undefeated record and belt in a new weight class.
He said after victory: “I knew he was going to be tough.
“Like I said, I knew all about him when I went to Uzbekistan and they were telling me so much about him.
“He’s real strong, he’s durable, he took a lot of good shots and he got me to round 12.”
Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh revealed an offer is on the table for Mexican superstar Canelo to face Crawford.
Canelo first returns in September against Edgar Berlanga while Crawford would need to jump another two divisions and 14lb.
But he said: “You know what I say, if the money’s right, we gotta fight.
“But, at the same time he’s got a fight that he’s focussed on I’m going to go back to my family, relax and enjoy this win and enjoy all the accomplishments that I’ve made in the sport of boxing.”
Madrimov, beaten for the first time in 13 professional bouts, called for a rematch after his first defeat.
He said: “I fought the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and I believe that I did enough because I was the champion I was defending the belt.
“I was controlling the riddim and felt very comfortable in the ring. I felt like I did very well and at least deserve the rematch.”