Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom – Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) handed Ismail Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) his first defeat, thus winning his 10th and – if you count interim titles – 11th world title in his career last Saturday in the “City of Angels.”
Saudi promoter Riyadh Season made its U.S. debut with a boxing card headlined by Terence Crawford’s debut at 154 lbs. The event was a double success as ‘Bud’ dethroned Ismail Madrimov in a packed BMO Stadium.
Judge Fernando Villarreal scored it 116-112, and Steve Weisfeld, along with Quebec’s Benoit Roussel, both scored it 115-113. All were in favor of the American, who thus becomes a world champion in a fourth weight class, ranging from 135 to 154 lbs.
He now holds the WBA title of the Uzbek fighter, in addition to the interim WBO title. Will Omaha, Nebraska’s pride, who is nearing 37 years old, now move up two more weight classes to face ‘Canelo’ Alvarez? That’s his wish. Would he stand a chance of winning? Your answer is good as ours.
Rayo Upsets Pitbull
In the co-main event, Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) once again surprised the boxing world. This time, it was on the biggest stage, as he snatched the WBA lightweight title from Mexican Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) via a split decision.
Draw Between Ruiz and Miller
In the (very) heavyweight division, “Big Baby” Jarrell Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) believed he had done enough to upset Andy Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KOs). However, the judges delivered a controversial draw. In defense of the ‘Destroyer,’ he had been inactive for two years and reportedly broke his right hand during the fight…
The Future Will Wait
Still in the heavyweight division, Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs), who many considered the future of American heavyweight boxing, was handed a real beating over five rounds by the equally impressive and gigantic Congolese Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs). An enormous clash in every sense, against Zhilei Zhang, could be a fascinating follow-up.
Morrell Has Arrived
David Morrell Jr. (11-0, 9 KOs) successfully debuted at 175 lbs by defeating the surprising Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs) via unanimous decision. He thus becomes the regular WBA champion in a second weight division. Credit must first be given to ‘Hot Rod’ for giving more trouble to the Cuban than expected. Like Benavidez a few weeks earlier, Morrell will now have some adjustments to make in the light heavyweight division, where his size and power advantage are less pronounced.
Also in action, his compatriot Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) was also victorious, winning in 7 rounds in a solid professional learning fight against Mexican veteran Antonio Moran (30-7-1, 21 KOs).
Simpson is King at Home
Elsewhere on the planet, here in the UK, Callum Simpson (15-0, 10 KOs) remained undefeated in an excellent local English fight against Zak Chelli (15-3-1, 7 KOs). Via a wide unanimous decision, Simpson claimed the British title as well as the Commonwealth title. In the near future, we could see him take on the world stage at 168 lbs, where a host of interesting opponents await him…
Bazinyan vs. Munguia
Speaking of super-middleweights, the “fight of a lifetime” has been confirmed for Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs), who will face Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) on September 20th in Arizona. A crucial reminder: this doesn’t mean that a rematch with Shakeel Phinn will never happen, but in boxing, you have to seize the opportunity when it comes, and it’s clear that Munguia makes fewer stops at the station than Phinn.
Plant-McCumby in September
Caleb Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) was set to return to the ring against Trevor McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs) in August. However, the latter suffered a significant cut even before the fight was officially announced. So it will now be on the Canelo-Berlanga card, on September 14th, that the two Americans will face off.
Hats Off to Sanford
In Olympic boxing, to follow up on our special Paris 2024 edition, Canadian Wyatt Sanford won the bronze medal on Sunday morning (Eastern Time). Very few people expected the 28-year-old athlete to reach the podium, making it all the more exceptional considering that no Canadian had achieved this feat since David ‘The Dream’ Defiagbon at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
The PG Agenda
Bohachuk vs. Ortiz Jr.
Next Saturday, we’ll finally see if Virgil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) is as good as everyone thinks when he faces a major challenge. In a battle of heavy hitters, he’ll take on the WBC interim 154 lb champion, Ukrainian Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs). This will be in Los Angeles and on DAZN.
Fundora vs. Asenjo
Also on this card, American Gabriela Fundora (13-0, 6 KOs) will make her second defense of the IBF flyweight title against Chilean challenger Daniela Asenjo (16-3-3, 2 KOs). Earlier this year, Gabriela and her brother Sebastian made history by becoming the first brother-sister duo to win a world title.
Lopez vs. Leo
Over on ESPN+, Top Rank will be in New Mexico to present a world championship fight between IBF 126 lb champion Luis Alberto Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs) and his #11 challenger, Angelo ‘El Chinito’ Leo (24-1, 11 KOs).
Delgado vs. Flores
Also in Albuquerque, Lindolfo Delgado (20-0, 15 KOs) will face Bryan Flores (26-0-1, 15 KOs) in an intriguing clash of undefeated boxers. Could the winner face Steve Claggett? Nothing is impossible. After all, Delgado fought Frank Sanchez, a former victim of the ‘Dragon’ in his last outing.
Find on BoxRec
Do you remember Tommy ‘Kryptonite’ Karpency (30-8-1, 19 KOs)? The pride of Adah, Pennsylvania, had fought everyone at 175 lbs, including Adonis Stevenson, back in 2015 for three rounds. Well, he’s back! At 38 years old, after a 3-year absence, he’ll face a certain Joe Louis Jones (14-11-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday in Ohio.
Wishing Mr. Karpency the best of luck, I wish you all a delightful week of boxing!
