Terence Crawford was gearing up to challenge WBA 154-pound champion Israil Madrimov for his title on August 3 at the LA Memorial Coliseum, with the event being backed by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh has been instrumental in funding major boxing matchups in recent years, including Fury vs. Ngannou and Joshua vs. Ngannou. Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn was set to promote the event, and Crawford seemed interested based on emojis he shared in response to Alalshikh’s teaser.
However, Jermell Charlo, the reigning 154-pound champion, has asserted his right to be Madrimov’s next opponent as the governing body’s titleholder in recess. With both Crawford and Charlo eyeing the championship, the possibility of a bigger fight between the two looms, but it remains uncertain. Charlo’s last fight against Canelo Alvarez was met with criticism, with Crawford among those questioning his performance. The focus on undisputed titles by champions like Crawford and Devin Haney is refreshing in a sport where belts have been devalued.
The competition for the 154-pound title adds to the anticipation of seeing top fighters like Crawford and Charlo face off. Alalshikh’s influence in boxing has been significant, with his financial backing helping to facilitate major fights and events in the sport. His involvement in supporting events in the United States represents a step towards having a global impact in boxing. The potential for Crawford to challenge for the 154-pound title with Alalshikh’s backing raises the stakes and excitement in the sport.
The upcoming battle for the 154-pound title between Madrimov, Crawford, and Charlo showcases the competitive nature of the sport and the ambition of top fighters to secure championship belts. The involvement of influential figures like Alalshikh in backing major boxing events adds to the prestige of these matchups and generates excitement among fans. With Crawford displaying a willingness to move up in weight classes to pursue titles, his legacy in the sport continues to grow, and the potential for a showdown with Charlo adds to the intrigue surrounding the championship picture.
