Terence Crawford finally has his next dance partner.
The No. 1 heavyweight will move up from 147 pounds to 154 pounds to challenge Israil Madrimov for the Uzbek’s WBA title on Aug. 3 in Los Angeles, ESPN reported.
The fight will be fueled by the Saudi Arabian authorities, who will present their first card outside the Middle Eastern country.
According to the news agency, a press conference to officially announce the match will take place on Wednesday in New York.
Jermell Charlo was named the WBA 154-pound “champion” during the break when he made the decision to challenge 168-pound titleholder Canelo Alvarez in September.
Charlo petitioned for a sanction to ensure a fight with Madrimov. He then agreed to make room for Crawford to face Madrimov. However, Charlo wants to be reinstated as “super” champion, which would mean Madrimov would be demoted to “regular” champion.
The WBA has yet to rule on Charlo’s petition.
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) has not fought since being beaten by fellow opponent Errol Spence Jr. defeat in the seventh round of their 147-pound unification title fight on July 29 of last year. welded weight belt.
Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) won the vacant WBA title by knocking out Magomed Kurbanov in five rounds on March 8. He is based in Indio, California.
