Terence Crawford, boxing's pound-for-pound king, seeks another title against Israil Madrimov

Terence Crawford, consensus best pound-for-pound boxer in world, has ded weight in hopes of claiming anor title.

Crawford will try to become a four-division champion when he faces Israil Mrimov for WBA super welterweight belt at BMO Stium on Saturday.

It is first fight for Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) at 154 pounds since he stopped Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023 to become undisputed welterweight champion.

“A lot of people forgetting that I punch hard and I’m strong too,” said Crawford, who has also held titles at super lightweight and lightweight. “A lot of people is overthinking this whole fight, like he’s bigger guy, he’s stronger guy since I’m moving up in weight.”

A win over Mrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) would set up intriguing possibilities for Crawford’s next fight, including a lucrative showdown against Canelo Álvarez.

Crawford thinks ded size at super welterweight will benefit him, to say nothing of a catchweight super fight against 168-pound champion Álvarez.

“Like I’ve said all fight week, I feel like I’m gonna be stronger, I’m gonna be more energized,” Crawford said during a press conference in outdoor courtyard at Grauman’s Chinese atre in Hollywood on Thursday. “I don’t have to lose extra seven pounds, so it’s gonna be less stress on my body. And I’m rey. I’m gonna be feeling great.”

Crawford is such a strong favorite that one of card’s main selling points is a pre-fight concert by rapper Eminem, who performed his Oscar winning song “Lose Yourself” to accompany Crawford to ring against Spence in Las Vegas last year.

Those expectations leave Mrimov, who won vacant title by stopping Magomed Kurbanov in fifth round in March, trying to capture his one moment.

Despite being largely unknown outside of deep boxing circles, 29-year-old from Uzbekistan and now based in Indio, California, is confident he can pull off a stunning upset.

“I believe I can prove that I’m best in world as well,” Mrimov said through his manager, Vim Kornilov. “And I believe that anything is possible. My dream is to create something that nobody expects, to do something and win fight I’m not supposed to win.”

Crawford carried heavy -700 odds Friday, according to BetMGM Sportsbook , while Mrimov was at +425 to retain his title.

Having finished his opponent in 11 straight fights, Crawford to win by KO/TKO/DQ or technical decision was at -125 in method of victory proposition bet.

undercard is highlighted by a WBA super lightweight title fight between champion Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) and challenger Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), with clash of Mexicans helping to drive ticket sales for sold-out card.

Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) is also in action, trying to position himself for a future heavyweight title shot. Ruiz shocked Anthony Joshua in 2019 to briefly take hold of three belts.