Israil Madrimov, also known as "Little GGG," is set to take on Terence "Bud" Crawford in a highly anticipated bout on August 3rd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to defend his WBA junior middleweight title.

At 29 years old, Madrimov is often compared to Gennadiy Golovkin for his technical prowess and is currently at the peak of his career following a knockout victory over Magomed Kurbanov in March.

Crawford, moving up to the 154-pound division, may be underestimating the skills of Madrimov. His previous successes might have inflated his confidence, leading him to believe he was unbeatable. But Madrimov poses a serious challenge and with Crawford and has he is turning 37 in September after a year-long break from competition, he could face a tough battle.

Fans' reactions towards the upcoming Crawford vs. Madrimov fight vary. While some view it as an opportunity for Crawford to prepare for a potential showdown with Canelo Alvarez in early 2025, others say that underestimating Madrimov could prove costly. The power behind Madrimov's punches presents a real danger, especially for an older welterweight like Crawford who might be distracted by thoughts of facing Canelo in a blockbuster fight.

Crawford's confidence could be his downfall. Beating fighters like Errol Spence and Shawn Porter may have made him too confident in his abilities. Some fans think Crawford should have stayed at 147 pounds for another fight against his IBF welterweight mandatory Jaron "Boots" Ennis before facing Madrimov. By skipping the Ennis fight and moving up, some see Crawford as avoiding a potentially tough challenge.

Throughout his career, Crawford has had some big wins, like against a recovering Errol Spence and a nearly retired Shawn Porter. However, taking too long of a break after beating Spence has kept him out of the ring for too long. The upcoming fight with Madrimov will truly test if Crawford's skills are still sharp after his time away from boxing.

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Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing