Eddie Hearn continues to drum up support for Israil Madrimov’s chances against Terence Crawford

EDDIE HEARN is simply doing his job as a promoter, but whenever he gets the chance, he wants the world to know that Israil Madrimov is going to beat Terence Crawford.

The Kazakhstani defends his WBA super welterweight title at the Riyadh Season event on August 3 in Los Angeles against the former two-division undisputed champion, who achieved all his previous world title victories with his biggest ever win over Errol Spence Jr last summer. That night, “Bud” Crawford elevated himself from great to one of the best to ever do it and will now attempt to win a fourth weight class, having started life as a lightweight.

Madrimov won his first and only world title to date when he defeated Magamed Kurbanov in Saudi Arabia in March. The fifth-round stoppage came at a time when Madrimov looked like he was in for more of a challenge, such was the difference in quality between the two.

Speaking on Saturday night in Philadelphia ahead of rookie Jaron Ennis making his Matchroom debut, Hearn shared his thoughts on Madrimov-Crawford with DAZN’s Chris Mannix.

“He’s the underdog but Madrimov is a quality fighter,” said Hearn.

“Great movement, he has a lot of power. “Bud” is the world champion at 135, undisputed at ’40, undisputed at ’47 – sooner or later you’re going to go further. Madrimov can explode and don’t get me wrong, he’s an underdog but everyone is looking at Israil Madrimov… Terence Crawford, Sir Turki Alalshikh… they all have other plans for next year.

“Don’t count out Israil Madrimov. The Uzbekistan powerhouse is coming off one of the biggest nights in American boxing in a long time.”