Crawford vs. Madrimov Card Finds Streaming Home on ESPN+ PPV

Pound for Pound king Terence Crawford will make his junior middleweight debut against Israil Madrimov on August 3, with the fight set to be streamed live on ESPN+ PPV, Top Rank has announced.

Crawford seeks a fourth title in as many weight classes when he challenges the undefeated Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Last July, Crawford solidified his credentials as one of boxing’s best with a one-sided TKO of Errol Spence to unify the welterweight division. Madrimov is making his first defense of the WBA 154-pound title he captured in March with a fifth-round stoppage over Magomed Kurbanov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“I’m proud to partner with Riyadh Season and HE Turki Alalshikh on their first boxing event in the United States. I cannot wait to get back in the ring in my fourth weight class and remind the world why I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” said Terence Crawford. “Israil Madrimov is a tremendous and entertaining fighter, but on August 3, he will be my next victim. This is the Terence Crawford era.”

“Terence Crawford is one of my favorite boxers and one of the best boxers in the world,” said Israil Madrimov. “I am very excited to get this opportunity to make a statement, and I will Inshallah.”

The co-main features upstart heavyweight contender Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs), who takes on his biggest challenge in the 6’6 Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs). Anderson took a wide decision win over Ryad Merhy in April while Bakole crushed former title challenger Carlos Takam in four rounds last October.

Bakole has vowed in recent weeks to score an upset KO over Anderson.

“He’s never fought someone on my level so this is his first test,” said Bakole. “He’s a man and can come and surprise everyone but I don’t think so. I’m looking forward to this. This is my time.”

The card’s other championship match-up features WBA 140-pound titlist Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) making his first defense against Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs).

Former unified champion Andy Ruiz finally ends a near two-year layoff to face Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller in a potential crossroads heavyweight slugfest.

Rounding out the card is feared contender David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) taking on Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs), and Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) facing Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs).