Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov: Fight Prediction, Odds, Undercard, Preview, Start Time, and Expert Pick

 The former two-division undisputed champion begins his new challenge on Saturday against another divisional champion. Terence Crawford attempts to win a world title in the fourth weight class of his career when he takes on WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on Saturday in Los Angeles. This fight marks Crawford's first at junior middleweight after previously winning a world title at lightweight and becoming the undisputed champion at both junior welterweight and welterweight.

Crawford, long considered one of the elite fighters in the sport, saw his reputation soar after his most recent performance, which placed him in the top two spots on nearly every pound-for-pound list. In that fight, Crawford dominated Errol Spence Jr., securing a ninth-round TKO in a highly anticipated clash to crown an undisputed welterweight champion.

Since his decisive victory over Spence in July 2023, Crawford has not returned to the ring. Although a rematch was initially expected, Spence’s cataract surgery prevented it, allowing the rematch clause to expire.

With Crawford already planning to move up in weight, he focused on new challenges, landing a fight with Madrimov.

"I feel great; come Saturday, I got a treat for y'all," Crawford said this week. "I'm expecting him to do anything he can to throw me off, but I said it before, and I'll say it again, this is the Terence Crawford era, and I'm taking that belt.

"I'm just so competitive that when I think I've reached my ceiling, there's always that extra push to do something that I haven't done before."

Madrimov, who boasts a solid amateur background with multiple championships, turned professional in 2018 and has achieved a 10-0-1 record. The only blemish on his resume is a technical draw against Michel Soro in July 2022 after a clash of heads caused a cut over Soro’s eye. Their rematch in 2021 saw Madrimov win controversially by TKO after a punch landed post-bell.

In his latest bout, Madrimov stopped Magomed Kurbanov in the fifth round to win the WBA title. The fight nearly didn’t happen due to a pre-fight medical issue that required a second MRI for clearance. With Jermell Charlo named "champion in recess" by the WBA, Madrimov and Kurbanov fought for the vacant belt.

While Madrimov is a talented fighter, Crawford enters the ring as a heavy favorite to win and take the title.

"I feel great; I've waited for this moment for a long time," Madrimov said. "My dream is coming true. Saturday night I'll show every boxing fan a great fight.

"I'm only thinking about the victory, and I will show everything that I have inside the ring."

A primary storyline heading into the fight looks beyond Saturday’s action, as Crawford has been pursuing a fight with unified super middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Despite the weight difference, a clash between two of the best fighters of their generation would be highly lucrative as both men wind down their careers.

Alvarez initially dismissed the idea but has warmed to it in recent months, meaning Crawford must avoid a misstep to keep the possibility of the fight alive.

Saturday features one of the year's deepest undercards by boxing standards. Despite losing the matchup between Tim Tszyu and Vergil Ortiz Jr., the action remains compelling. Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz defends his WBA junior welterweight title against Jose Valenzuela in the co-main event. Former unified heavyweight king Andy Ruiz returns after a two-year layoff to fight Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller. Rising American heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson faces his toughest test yet against Martin Bakole, and former WBA super middleweight champion David Morrell debuts at light heavyweight against Radivoje Kalajdzic.

Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the undercard with the latest odds before predicting and making an expert pick for the main event.

**Crawford vs. Madrimov fight card, odds**:

- Terence Crawford -700 vs. Israil Madrimov (c) +475, WBA junior middleweight title

- Isaac Cruz (c) -450 vs. Jose Valenzuela +330, WBA junior welterweight title

- Andy Ruiz -300 vs. Jarrell Miller +230, heavyweights

- David Morrell -3000 vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic +1400, light heavyweights

- Jared Anderson -190 vs. Martin Bakole +155, heavyweights

- Andy Cruz -2000 vs. Antonio Moran +1100, lightweights

- Steven Nelson -1600 vs. Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez +750, super middleweights

- Ziyad Almaayouf -2500 vs. Michal Bulik +950, welterweights

**Prediction**:

Madrimov is not an easy opponent; he is arguably the best fighter currently active in the division. However, Crawford is one of the best fighters on the planet and is expected to win this fight. Where Madrimov is good, Crawford is great, and that is usually the deciding factor.

Potential challenges could arise from Crawford's age (he is nearing his 37th birthday) and his year out of the ring. Historically, great fighters have sometimes suddenly lost a step as they age, allowing lesser fighters to compete effectively.

This probably won’t happen to Crawford on Saturday. Instead, Madrimov might have some success in the early rounds, but Crawford will likely lock in his plan of attack and take over. Once Crawford gains momentum, it's nearly impossible to stop him.