Hot August Night: Crawford vs Madrimov Preview

Fighters on the Crawford vs Madrimov card in Los Angeles at the BMO Stadium on Saturday, August 3 will experience Riyadh Season in more ways than one.

A scorching hot weather forecast of 91 degrees at the outdoor venue, combined with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority's pacing and promotional style and the participants' big paychecks, will test the market for these big cards in the first American venue.

The entire card starts with “before the bell” bouts at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

Fans will see a live concert performance by Eminem at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, followed by the pay-per-view fights kicking off at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. This portion can be purchased through PPV.com.

Crawford Returns To The Ring In New Weight Division

It's hard to say who has more at stake in the Crawford vs Madrimov main event. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom Boxing

Leading the card is three-division undisputed world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford of Omaha (40-0, 31 KOs) in his first fight in the super welterweight division, He faces World Boxing Association champion Israil Madrimov of Uzbekistan (10-0-1, 7 KOs). Both men made weight early Friday, with Crawford at 153.4 pounds and Madrimov at the 154-pound limit.

Terence Crawford used speed and ring intelligence to take away Errol Spence Jr.'s best tools. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

It is Crawford’s first fight since he destroyed Errol Spence Jr. on July 29, 2023, to unify the welterweight division. Madrimov defends the title for the first time after defeating Magomed Kurbanov of Russia on the Joshua vs. Ngannou undercard earlier this year.

Israil Madrimov ran through Magomed Kurbanov to win the WBA World Super Welterweight Title in March. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

An accomplished amateur, Madrimov trains with several fellow Uzbek pros at the Indio, California gym run by Joel Diaz Jr., practically a home game for him. Madrimov says he’s a Crawford fan and likes his movement. But there is always someone to hang that first loss, and it will be him.

“I’m not Errol Spence Jr. I am Israil Madrimov. This is my division,” said the champion. “He's moving up in weight. I'm the World Champion here, and I don't think about him. I think about myself and I think about accomplishing my goals and winning this fight. It's a huge honor and opportunity for me to show my skills and I want to win this fight in style. And still!”

Israil Madrimov greets fans during a public workout ahead of his upcoming fight Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Crawford says he’ll remind everyone why he’s at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. He called Madrimov the best in the super welterweight division, a strong fighter who can box, brawl, and take a punch.

I know his coaches will train him to be the best that he can be and come fight night he’s going to try to do any and everything to dethrone me from my top spot, even though he’s the champion,” said Crawford.

“He wants what I’ve got, and that’s the recognition, the accolades, the pound-for-pound spot. He wants to be on top of the world like myself. He's going to be filled with so much energy to prove to the world that he belongs in the ring with the top fighters,” added Crawford.

Oddsmakers have Crawford the significant favorite, but inactivity is no boxer’s friend. Crawford is also 37 years old. But he’s a gym rat who lives a clean life between fights.

Madrimov’s record is deceiving due to his long amateur background. In between fights, he’s been a sparring partner to Dmitry Bivol helping him prepare for what was a win over Canelo Alvarez. He will make Crawford work. This fight is going the distance, with Crawford getting a narrow win on the cards.

The Locals Main Event: Issac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela

Isaac Cruz and Jose Valenzuela will fire up the local fans on Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

The main event drawing fans from Southern California and Mexico is the showdown between the popular WBA World Junior Welterweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) against contender Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela also weighed in at the limit, 140 pounds, while his countryman contender Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), a native of Mexico based in Renton, Washington. Cruz weighed in at the 140-pound limit, and Valenzuela weighed 139.8.

Cruz is a bonafide star and a true Mexican-style guerrero who has a willing dance partner in the 25-year-old southpaw Valenzuela. Valenzuela is coming off a spectacular sixth-round knockout over Chris Colbert, avenging a narrow decision loss. Cruz had the fans on their feet in Las Vegas in March, doling out a beating to Rolly Romero.

Fans cheer for Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at the public workout for the Matchroom Boxing earlier this week. They'll be out in force at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom Boxing

Cruz loves to perform, and it will be no different on Saturday. “I know that there will be a massive Mexican presence there. It’s going to be fantastic to hear so many Mexican fans there,” said Cruz. “I know it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re going to put on a show. It’s going to be great!”

Valenzuela is equally ready to rumble. “This is what I've been training for my whole life. We had a great training camp, and I’m ready to make the most of it. I have the height, I have the length, I have the skills, and I’ve sharpened up everything to come prepared.

Valenzuela has a six-inch height advantage and greater reach. But he’s got a lot of real estate for Cruz to go to the body, and he’ll need to be defensively responsible as well as offensively aggressive to keep Cruz back.

Heavyweights Come Out to Play: Ruiz Jr. vs Miller and Anderson vs Bokole

Two heavyweight matchups provide the pay-per-view lead-ins.

Andy Ruiz Jr and Jarrell Miller will fight to stay relevant in the heavyweight division Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Andy Ruiz Jr. of Alpine, California (35-2, 22 KOs) returns against Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller of Brooklyn (26-1-1, 22 KOs). Ruiz Jr. was a world champion for a hot minute after his shocking upset win over Anthony Joshua, but he threw it away enjoying his victory tour too much. Miller’s potential was ruined by using PEDs.

This is the fight at the Last Chance Saloon for both big men. Loser goes to the Power Slap circuit. Ruiz Jr. hit the scale at 274.4 pounds, Miller 305.6 pounds.

Andy Ruiz Jr. will give up 25 pounds to Jarrell Miller Saturday, but the two will weigh over 600 pounds combined.
Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Miller looked awful in his loss to Daniel Dubois, and Ruiz Jr. barely got by an aging Luis Ortiz Jr. two years ago. If Ruiz Jr. is truly in shape, he should take care of business against Miller.

Jared Anderson and Martin Bokole have been respectful and men of few words in the lead-up to their bout on Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

The heavyweight matchup between American contender Jared Anderson of Houston (17-0, 15 KOs) and Martin Bakole, a Congo native fighting out of Scotland (20-1, 15 KOs) is a higher quality matchup with minor belts and future title shots at stake. Anderson weighed 252.4 pounds, and Bakole 284.4 pounds.

Bakole’s sole loss to Michael Hunter six years ago due in part to an injured shoulder can be forgotten. He’s quietly worked his way through good opposition and will be a serious eye test for Anderson, who made some mistakes against Charles Martin. He can’t do this with Bakole, who makes his American debut.

Undercard Action: Cruz vs Moran, Morrell vs Kalajhdzic

Both Andy Cruz (left) and David Morrell are remaking the image of Cuban fighters. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Two exciting Cuban fighters (yes, exciting!) are part of Saturday’s lineup.

Cuba's David Morrell who fights out of Minneapolis (10-0, 9 KOs) defends his regular WBA Light-Heavyweight belt against the underrated Radivoje ‘Hot Rod' Kalajdzic of Serbia (29-2, 21 KOs) who fights out of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Morrell is the biggest under-the-radar threat in the division, itching for a shot at the top names. With a big win, he could get his opportunity against David Benavidez, who finds himself in the same position as Morrell. Morrell weighed in at 174.8 pounds, and Kalajdzic at 174.4 pounds.

Andy Cruz is quickly getting attention as a rising start in the lightweight division. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) faces Antonio Moran of Mexico (30-6-1, 21 KOs) for the minor IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American titles. Cruz has impressed fans with his pro-style, which has developed nicely thanks to working with trainer Bozy Ennis and his talented son Jaron “Boots” Ennis in Philadelphia. Both men easily made the 135 limit.

In early action, undefeated super middleweight Steve Nelson of Omaha (19-0, 15 KOs) faces Marcos Ramon Vazquez of Tijuana, Mexico (20-0-1, 10 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round fight, and Ziyad Almaayouf of Saudi Arabia makes his American debut against Michal Bulik of Poland (6-7, 2 KOs) in a six-round welterweight bout.

Big Test for Saudi Boxing in America

The Saudi General Entertainment Authority is pulling out all the stops to make its first U.S. card a success. Photo: SGE

“For me, this is the greatest boxing card in American history,” claimed Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn.

“Riyadh Season is now represented around the world … On Saturday night, we have the greatest fight card we have ever seen and BMO Stadium will be a spectacle for fight and sports fans from around the world with an incredible night of boxing.”

Ahem. Mr. Hearn, Don King would like a word.

Saturday's Riyadh Season card is getting coast to coast promotion.

Goldstar Boxing promoter Spencer Brown, one of several promoters involved with lead promoter Matchroom Boxing running the Riyadh Season card in Los Angeles, notes there has been at least one significant upset on most of the Saudi cards.

Brown says the inaugural Riyadh Season card on Saturday is just the start. “You are going to see big events in the U.S., not just in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, but in the biggest boxing places in the world.”

What's At Stake With Crawford vs Madrimov?

Terence Crawford and the other athletes on Saturday's card are getting the red carpet treatment and purses to match. Photo: SGE

There’s a lot at stake for the conglomerate behind the operation, from the promoters to the Saudi Entertainment Authority to the networks, venue, and athletes.

Did the promoter line up the right fights to draw the knowledgeable Southern California boxing fans to the BMO Stadium venue, on what will be an uncomfortably warm day?

Without Isaac Cruz on the card, ticket sales would have likely suffered. If people wait until the Eminem concert to come in from their tailgate parties in the parking lot or leave their seats before the main event to beat LA traffic, let’s hope Turki doesn’t take it personally – especially since he celebrates his birthday on Sunday, August 4.

With an $80 PPV teed up against the Olympics, summer vacation time, and bigger pay-per-view events looming after Labor Day, let’s see how the numbers shake (or sheik) out.