**Boxing Pros Warn Terence Crawford Against Fighting Israil Madrimov**

Prominent voices in the boxing community are cautioning Terence Crawford against stepping into the ring with Israil Madrimov. Promoter Eddie Hearn predicts a knockout victory for Madrimov in their upcoming bout, which he believes could propel the 29-year-old to stardom. Hearn sees this fight as pivotal for Madrimov’s career, potentially transforming him into a future superstar following a victory over Crawford.

Eddie Hearn, speaking on social media platform X, expressed his confidence in Madrimov’s ability to knock out Crawford. He emphasized that this fight, set to take place in Los Angeles, could be the defining moment for Madrimov’s career. Despite Crawford’s reputation as an invincible fighter, Hearn believes Madrimov possesses the power and flair to trouble the Nebraska native.

However, many fans and analysts remain skeptical about Madrimov’s ability to string together the combinations necessary to outshine Crawford. While Madrimov boasts significant power, his lack of consistent combinations could be a disadvantage. Comparisons have been made to legendary punchers like Julian Jackson, whose knockout power could have changed the game for Madrimov. Nevertheless, Madrimov’s isolated strikes might not be sufficient against Crawford.

Crawford, at 36 years old, is considering a future bout with Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight in early 2025. However, before this potential matchup, he must first prove himself against Madrimov on August 3rd. This fight will serve as a crucial test to gauge if Crawford can effectively transition to the 168-pound division. A victory against both Madrimov and Canelo could propel Crawford to even greater heights, potentially advancing to the 175-pound division to face formidable opponents like Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, and David Benavidez.

Despite the confidence in his abilities, Crawford’s focus is currently on the upcoming fight with Madrimov. Madrimov has expressed irritation at Crawford’s apparent disregard for him as he looks ahead to a bout with Canelo. This perceived lack of focus has only fueled Madrimov’s determination to prove Crawford wrong.

Brian Mendoza, a former WBC interim junior middleweight champion, has voiced his support for Madrimov, challenging the prevailing skepticism from oddsmakers and fans. Mendoza believes that Crawford’s lack of experience at 154 pounds and the power of Madrimov’s punches could pose a significant challenge. While Crawford’s performance against Errol Spence Jr. was impressive, Madrimov is an unknown quantity to many American fans, having not yet faced opponents of Crawford’s caliber.

Mendoza also pointed out Madrimov’s tendency to drop his lead hand during fights, a habit that Crawford could exploit. However, he remains hopeful that Madrimov is working on correcting this flaw in preparation for the fight. Madrimov’s dynamic mobility, raw power, youthful energy, and precision shots could present significant challenges for Crawford.

As the fight date approaches, questions remain about Crawford’s ability to handle the explosive force of Madrimov. Crawford, who turns 37 in September, faces numerous challenges, including the physical toll of his career and the long layoff since his last bout. Engaging in a brawl with Madrimov could prove risky, as Crawford’s usual clinching and grappling techniques might not be effective against the well-versed Madrimov.

Crawford’s entry into the 154-pound weight class could be a daunting task, and the fight with Madrimov may serve as a harsh reality check. The upcoming bout will reveal if Crawford’s decision to take on this fight after a long hiatus was a wise one. Regardless, both fighters are prepared for a challenging battle, with Madrimov eager to prove his worth and Crawford determined to maintain his undefeated record.