Our boxing betting picks believe Terence Crawford is a deserving heavy favorite vs. Israil Madrimov and will wear his opponent down sooner or later.
Terence Crawford aims to become a four-division champion against the undefeated Israil Madrimov when the two face off this Saturday in the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Crawford challenges WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov with an eye on a major future fight, whereas Madrimov hopes to stake his claim as a premier fighter ready to score an upset.
Boxing odds have Crawford as a -750 favorite and Madrimov as a +475 underdog. Here are my best free Crawford vs. Madrimov predictions for August 3.
Madrimov vs Crawford prediction and pick
Fight analysis
If it were up to Terence Crawford, he’d be hitting the weights right now in an attempt to bulk up to 168 pounds for a dream match with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. For now, Crawford will have to settle for doing it the old-fashioned way as he attempts to win a title in a fourth weight class, something he is primed to do, against WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov.
Though Crawford is 36 and started off as a lightweight, his skill and size make the 154-pound division likely the highest division he can compete in without facing any physical deficits.
From a skill perspective, he doesn’t have much to fear from Madrimov. The Uzbek amateur standout has rapidly worked his way up the ranks and won a vacant title in his last fight against Magomed Kurbanov. He’s fighting the appropriate level of opposition at this stage of his career, but that means he’s taking a huge step up in class against a master strategist like Crawford.
Madrimov has good technique and seems to have good power, but that’s to be expected against the level of opposition he’s faced so far. I think this would have been a more dangerous fight for Crawford down the line if Madrimov had a few more fights to develop, but even then, I don’t see him evolving into a world-beater.
Crawford at welterweight was essentially the perfect mix of power, speed, strength, and skill, so it will be interesting to see what the move up in weight will mean for him in this later stage of his career. I don’t believe there is anyone I’d comfortably favor to trouble Crawford at 154 or 160 pounds. He’s an all-time great coming off the best performance of his career, and we aren’t going to witness a dramatic drop in class just 10 months removed from his career-defining win over Errol Spence against a green opponent. Madrimov is a champion with training wheels, and Crawford will end up being too much for him.
I am picking Crawford to pick up where he left off in the Spence fight and deliver another strong night, ending with his hand raised in victory and another title added to his collection.
Best best analysis
Though Crawford is going to be too much for Madrimov, the younger fighter’s youth, size, and strong footwork might get him out of some bad early spots, as Crawford tends to use the early rounds to download his opponents. If anything, Madrimov should last until the middle rounds. By that time, Crawford will have implemented his adjustments and will start to step on the gas, executing crisp counters and slowly walking his foe down.
Madrimov will eventually run out of options, as has been the case with everyone who’s faced Crawford in recent years, and the punishment will only accumulate as the fight nears its inevitable conclusion.
Eventually, Crawford will grind Madrimov down and drop him with a body shot, scoring his 11th straight knockout win.
SportsLine boxing analyst Peter Kahn has just released his picks for Saturday’s main event in Los Angeles
Undisputed welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford will look to conquer a new weight class on Saturday when he steps up to take on WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov. Their 12-round battle tops the card (4:30 p.m. ET) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and the estimated start time for the main event is around 11 p.m. ET.
Crawford is the -750 favorite (risk $750 to win $100), while Madrimov is priced at +550 (risk $100 to win $550) in the latest boxing odds for Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov. The over/under for total rounds is 10.5. Before locking in any Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov picks, you NEED to see what Peter Kahn has to say.
Kahn is a true boxing insider who has his finger on the pulse of what’s going on inside and outside of the ring. He has managed numerous world champions and currently manages 20 fighters through his company, Fight Game Advisors. Kahn won the 2022 Boxing Writers Association of America Cus D’Amato Manager of the Year award and was named to the 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.
Kahn is uncanny when it comes to picking fights. He is an astounding 55-13 on his last 68 SportsLine boxing picks, returning a profit of more than $4,300 to $100 bettors! His notable wins include telling SportsLine members to back underdog Ryan Garcia (+500) against previously unbeaten super lightweight champion Devin Haney (-700) in their blockbuster fight in April. Anyone who has followed Kahn’s boxing picks is WAY UP!
With Saturday’s showdown fast approaching, Kahn has studied Israil Madrimov vs. Terence Crawford from every angle, identified the best value in the boxing odds and released his confident picks.
We can tell you he is betting that the fight won’t go the full 12 rounds for a -200 payout. He’s also locked in a STRONG money-line pick and a method-of-victory prop that you need to see! You ABSOLUTELY must check out Kahn’s picks before making any of your own!
Terence Crawford has done it all in the boxing and his Hall of Fame status is already secure. Still, the American wants to add to his trophy case again and will challenge for the WBA super welterweight title at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on August 3.
The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will air on , and PPV in the first overseas venture from Rihadh Season.
Crawford (40-0) is a three-division champion, consistently competing for gold since 2014. The is celebrating the one-year anniversary of his which earned him the undisputed welterweight championship.
Even though he’s enjoyed considerable success in boxing, Crawford does have his detractors. Despite Madrimovs’s class and incredible amateur pedigree, some have been critical of this choice of opponent, which has not gone unnoticed by the challenger.
WATCH: “No matter what you do, they’re gonna criticize you,” Crawford told “No matter who you fight, they’re gonna criticize. No matter how you fight, they’re gonna criticize. It just tells how great you are. If nobody criticizes you, if nobody is talking about you, then that’s a problem. If you got a whole bunch of critics critiquing you, you’re doing something right.”
Madrimov (10-0-1) has seven wins via knockout, beating Magomed Kurbanov via the power punch to win the WBA title. The Uzbekistan native may be the underdog, but he thrives under pressure and believes he has the game plan to halt Crawford in his tracks.
“When we are watching him, we are making insight or tactic,” Madrimov said on via . “In the ring, he’s moving, he’s watching all punch; you know, smart, smart guy.”
On the stacked undercard, several titles are on the line, a controversial fighter looks to return to relevancy, and a rising star is ready to impress in front of a massive audience.
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Crawford vs. Madrimov card.
David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic
Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
Morrell record: 10-0
Kalajdzic record: 29-2
Belts at stake: WBA regular light heavyweight title
David Morrell and Radivoje Kalajdzic compete for the WBA regular light heavyweight title.
The 26-year-old Morrell (10-0) won WBA super middleweight gold in 2021, holding onto the belt until his last fight in December. The 2016 Youth World Championships gold medalist has attempted to face super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez but will now move up in weight to secure more gold.
Kalajdzic (29-2) competes for gold for the second time since losing to Artur Beterbiev in 2019 for the IBF title. “Hot Rod” is on a five-fight win streak with four of those victories coming by knockout.
MORE:
Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela
Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
Cruz record: 26-2-1
Valenzuela record: 13-2
Belts at stake: WBA super lightweight title
Isaac Cruz defends the WBA super lightweight title against Jose Valenzuela.
Cruz (26-2-1) is on a four-fight win streak since a fight where he went the distance despite being a late replacement. In his most recent fight, in March, Cruz to become the WBA champion, and the Mexican star now has his eye on unification fights.
Valenzuela (13-2) is 2-2 in his last four fights. He avenged a loss to Chris Colbert by knocking “Primetime” out in December. “Rayo” has nine wins via knockout and competes in his first fight at 140 after moving up from lightweight. Trained by Mario Rodriguez and Robert Garcia, Valenzuela will look to take advantage of his six-inch height and seven-inch reach edge against Cruz.
Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole
Division/Weight: Heavyweight
Anderson record: 17-0
Bakole record: 20-1
Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole.
A two-time U.S. National Championship gold medalist, Anderson (17-0) beat Vladimir Tereshkin for the NABF heavyweight title in 2021. He has won all but two fights via knockout.
Bakole (20-1) is on a nine-fight win streak, with seven wins via knockout. The brother of former cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu, he competes for the first time since October.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Jarrell Miller
Division/Weight: Heavyweight
Ruiz record: 35-2
Miller record: 26-1-1
Belts at stake: N/A
Heavyweights are in action as Andy Ruiz Jr. faces Jarrell Miller.
This will be Ruiz’s (35-2) first fight since 2022. He’s best known for beating Anthony Joshua in one of the to become the unified heavyweight champion. Ruiz regressed in the rematch a few months later, losing all the gold, and has fought just twice since.
Miller (26-1-1) was on a path to superstardom ready to face Joshua for heavyweight gold. But then, ” and Ruiz took his place. Suspended for several years after failing another drug test, the controversial Miller looks to return to relevancy after losing his last fight to Daniel Dubois in December.
Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran
Division/Weight: Lightweight
Cruz record: 3-0
Moran record: 30-6-1
Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Andy Cruz faces Antonio Moran.
Cruz (3-0) was an acclaimed amateur star and took gold in the 2020 Olympics. The 28-year-old Cuban looks to go 2-0 in 2024 after a hot start to his pro career.
Moran (30-6-1) is 4-1 in his last five fights and has 21 wins via knockout. The Mexican fighter beat Romero Duno in January.
Crawford vs. Madrimov takes place in BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Formerly Banc of California Stadium, the home of Los Angeles and Angel City FC can hold up to 22,000 people.
Tickets start at $130 via
Prices then range from $200, $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, and $6,764.
Saudi Arabia’s takeover of big-time boxing extends to Los Angeles on Saturday, when Riyadh Season has its first overseas event at BMO Stadium with one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, topping the bill As per previous events in Saudi Arabia that feature a series of fights good enough to headline a boxing card on their own, Saturday’s show in L.A. is stacked with quality matchups.
Riyadh Season is an annual state-managed sports and entertainment event that attracts sponsorships from some of the region’s most prominent companies. Saturday’s card features fighters from different promotional companies, a rare feat for boxing.
Riyadh boxing events have also been defined by high-quality production, and legendary hip-hop singer Eminem will be performing during the event Saturday.
One of the promoters involved in the show is Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. He told ESPN, this is the biggest fight night he has seen in American boxing from top to bottom.
“American boxing fans are going to have their minds blown. I’m looking forward to an absolute spectacle,” Hearn said. “When we started Riyadh Season we expected it to just be in Riyadh between October and March. But Riyadh Season also wants to market itself worldwide and [is] using these events in L.A. and London [on Sep. 21] to expand the brand and it’s great news for fight fans.”
With such a list of must-see matchups, ESPN breaks the pay-per-view card down and ranks all the fights
1. Israil Madrimov vs. Terence Crawford – Junior middleweight title fight
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), a three-division champion and undisputed at 140 and 147 pounds, bids to conquer another weight class but will have to subdue a puncher who has been compared to the former middleweight champion and KO specialist.
Crawford, 36, of Omaha, Nebraska, looked sensational in his last fight, when he dropped three times en route to a ninth round TKO win to unify all four major welterweight belts in July 2023.
Crawford, the current WBA an WBO welterweight champion, enters the fight as a favorite (-800 per ESPN BET) due to his extensive library of boxing skills and ring IQ, but there is an element of jeopardy for him in this fight. He is stepping up to junior middleweight for the first time, and faces an in-form, powerful puncher who seems calmly impervious to the size of the occasion in facing in a first defense of his WBA 154 pounds title.
Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs), from Uzbekistan, has only had 11 pro fights, but don’t read too much into that. He had a long, distinguished amateur career at international level and is one of the many east European elite fighters who train out of Indio, California. One of those training partners is the light heavyweight who upset the odds when he defeated the sport’s biggest star in 2022. Can Madrimov do the same? He is hungry, has been busier than Crawford in recent years (Crawford has had one fight per year since 2020), and looked good in his last outing when he stopped Magomed Kurbanov in five rounds in Riyadh last March.
Much depends on whether Madrimov, 29, can land some of his big punches to unsettle Crawford in the early rounds before Crawford gets into his stride. Crawford is a clinical finisher, one of the most lethal in the business, and if he can land two or three punches flush, he could finish the fight in the latter rounds.
2. Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller – Heavyweight
There will be a lot on the line when these two battle to stay relevant in a heavyweight division that could be full of world title opportunities next year following the undisputed clash between and on Dec. 21.
Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) briefly held three titles after he stopped in 2019 but came in out of condition for the rematch six months later. Ruiz, 34, of Imperial, California, has only been seen in the ring twice since, but insists he has regained his focus and motivation for the sport.
Ruiz weighed 269 pounds for his most recent fight against Luis Ortiz nearly two years ago, which he won by unanimous decision. Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), 36, from New York, similarly, has come in heavy for fights. He weighed a staggering 333 pounds for his fight against Daniel Dubois in December, when he ran of steam and was stopped in the 10th round.
Ruiz, if he is as focused as he says he is, should prevail but this fight promises drama and knockdowns. It will be fun to watch, but a fight neither can afford to lose.
Anderson has been heralded as the future of American heavyweight boxing for a few years now, and this could be a fight that moves him to the verge of a world title opportunity.
Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs), 24, of Toledo, Ohio, has a top 5 ranking with two of the world governing bodies, but Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs), is the No. 1 contender for the WBA belt held by Usyk. Bakole, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo but based in Scotland, impressively stopped Carlos Takam in his last fight in October 2023.
“It is a great fight, but a strange one to make,” Hearn told ESPN. “A lot of people are high on Anderson and if he beats Bakole he’s in a great position, a star of the division, but I’m not sure he will beat him. If Anderson wins it puts him right up there. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh [the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority], has taken a shine to Jared Anderson so he’s going to look to line him up for all the big fights in the division, but I think it’s a 50-50 fight.”
Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs), of Mexico City, impressively stopped Rolando “Rolly” Romero in March while southpaw Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), of Sinaloa, also shined when he knocked out Chris Colbert in December.
If Cruz, 26, can navigate his way past Valenzuela in a first title defense, there are big potential fights for him further down the road according to Hearn.
“He’s a very exciting fighter, Hearn, who promotes Cruz, told ESPN.. Liam Paro, Subriel Matias, Jack Catterall versus in August, so there are some massive fights in play at 140 pounds and he’s definitely one of the exciting guys in that division.
Cruz has struggled with southpaws before (he lost a points decision to in 2021 and beat Giovanni Cabrera by split decision a year ago), while Valenzuela is stepping up a division for his chance
This all-Mexican title fight sees two in-form fighters meeting each other after the best wins of their careers last time out.
David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs), of Santa Clara, Cuba, and Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs), of Belgrade, Serbia, will fight for the vacant WBA “regular” light heavyweight title, with the winner getting closer to a shot at Bivol, the full champion. Minneapolis-based Morrell has been ruthless stacking six knockout wins as WBA super middleweight champion. This is Morrell’s debut at light heavyweight and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his four-year knockout streak.
Cruz (3-0, 1 KO), of Matanzas, Cuba is a 2020 Olympic gold medalist. He takes on veteran Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs), of Mexico City, in a 10-round fight. Cruz, 28, has quality and this is a good chance to check out whether he can go all the way in the pro ranks. For Moran, 31, this an opportunity to keep building after an impressive sixth-round victory over Romero Duno in January.
Why Israil Madrimov — and Uzbekistan — have a chance to shine in boxing
Crawford will move up a division to challenge the Uzbek for the WBA super-welterweight title
Terence crawford and Israil Madrimov will headline this weekend, with two super-welterweight titles on the line in their main event.
The unbeaten Crawford, 36, is aiming to become a four-weight world champion when he challenges Madrimov, 29, who is also undefeated. Of the three divisions in which Crawford has already reigned, .
Now, Uzbekistan’s Madrimov will defend the WBA belt against “Bud”, while the vacant WBO interim title is also up for grabs in Los Angeles.
Also in action on the card, among others, are: Andy Ruiz Jr, Jarrell Miller, Jared Anderson, Martin Bakole, David Morrell, and Isaac Cruz.
Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
When is the fight?
Crawford vs Madrimov will take place on Saturday 3 August at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
The event is due to begin at 9.30pm BST (1.30pm PT / 3.30pm CT / 4.30pm ET). Ring walks for the main event are scheduled for 4.30am BST on Sunday (8.30pm PT / 10.30pm CT / 11.30pm on Saturday).
How can I watch it?
Crawford vs Madrimov will stream live on DAZN pay-per-view in over 200 countries worldwide. In the UK, the pay-per-view is available at a cost of £24.99; in the US, it is priced at $79.99. TNT Sports Box Office will also air the fight in the UK, at a cost of £24.99. Viewers do not need a TNT subscription to purchase the event, and they can watch the action on discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media TV, Prime Video and Sky.
Crawford – 3/20
Madrimov – 9/2
Draw – 20/1
Via Betway.
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Isaac Cruz (C) vs Jose Venezuela (WBA super-lightweight title)
David Morrell vs Radivoje Kalajdzic (light-heavyweight)
Andy Cruz vs Antonio Moran (lightweight)
Steve Nelson vs Marcos Ramon Vazquez (super-middleweight)
Ziyad Almaayouf vs Michal Bulik (welterweight)
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The time has come for to handle another big baby. He’s had enough practice over recent weeks. Leah Maya Ruiz was born on July 2. The following day, her father was in the ring, sparring ahead of Saturday night’s return against Jarrell Miller.
‘It’s funny, I picked the name literally when they were going to give us the birth certificate,’ the heavyweight explains. His girlfriend Mayeli had decided what she wanted to call their first daughter. Unfortunately, Ruiz wasn’t convinced.
‘It was going to be Landy,’ he reveals. ‘I felt like… babe, she’s going be mad at me! She’s going to think: “Dad, were you trying to name me (after) your name or what?
Thankfully they had a list of alternates and Leah Maya eventually won out. ‘I thought it was just a beautiful name,’ Ruiz says. ‘It just gives me joy again, man… she was 9lbs, 5oz. She was a big baby.’
Perfect preparation, then, for Miller who goes by ‘Big Baby’ but weighed in 296lbs more than young Leah.
For Ruiz, the last few weeks have been about juggling his duties as a father and a fighter. ‘We came back to my house, we celebrated 4th of July together.’ And then boxing took over once more.
‘I can’t lose focus just because my daughter is here,’ the heavyweight says. ‘That should make me more motivated and hungry to win this fight.’ So should the opportunities that linger around the corner. Even at 34.
Incredibly, five years have now passed since Miller failed a drugs test – not for the final time – and Ruiz was drafted in to make Anthony Joshua look good on his American debut.
Instead, over seven bonkers rounds, Ruiz bounced AJ around Madison Square Garden to secure one of boxing’s greatest ever upsets
All of a sudden, this ‘chubby boy’ with quick hands was the unified heavyweight champion. All of a sudden, the Mexican-American stood on the cusp of more huge fights and huge paydays.
Ruiz is eyeing a trilogy with Joshua, who exacted revenge six months later but has endured his own chaotic journey between darkness and light in recent years. They crossed paths in Saudi Arabia last year, when Joshua beat Otto Wallin.
‘He came over to where me and my girlfriend were sitting and told me: “Hey, I’m ready for you. I’m better. I’m back”,’ explains Ruiz. The 34-year-old was baffled at first.
‘What the heck,’ he thought. ‘He’s still thinking of me, he wants to fight again. I’m sure he found himself again. He got his motivation back. And that’s exactly what I have to do.’
It is an illustration of boxing’s warped meritocracy that such fights and such riches remain within reach. No matter that Ruiz was ridiculed after surrendering his belts almost immediately. No matter that Saturday’s fight with Miller is his first in nearly two years – and only his third outing since losing to Joshua in December 2019.
‘Everybody goes through rollercoasters in their lives,’ Ruiz says. ‘Unfortunately, I had my ups, I had to learn, and I had to go towards my downs. Ever since I started praying, I started getting closer to God. And he’s helped me so much.’
What has he found out? ‘Somebody has to go through their lows to understand everything that happened.’ And to realize their purpose.
I’m happy for all the ups and downs that I had to go through. Because without that, nobody can learn about themselves. Things had to go that way. It’s like I was born again.’ Now Ruiz feels 34 going on 31.
We have been down this road before, of course. It was back in April 2021, nearly two years on from that crowning night, that Ruiz spoke to Mail Sport with brutally honesty about his spiral – from all the parades and the parties to the emptiness, the regret and the days when he wished he could crawl under his bed and eat Cheerio’s.
‘I shut myself like a turtle’, he admitted at the time. He smoked and drank and battled depression and considered calling it quits. But then ‘everything changed’. He had a new trainer and – crucially – a different ‘mentality, spirit, everything.’
He had cut out the Snickers and the sweets and the cakes. He had shed some weight and trimmed his entourage. He beat Chris Arreola on his long-awaited return, having discovered that fulfilment arrives not through big houses or flash cars but through finding God.
This time, peace has come through loss. Surgery rid Ruiz of pain in his shoulder. A break-up freed him of mental turmoil.
I feel like all the bad vibes that I had before are all flushed down the toilet,’ Ruiz says. ‘I feel like a brand new person. Now I’m going into a fight on August 3rd without any problems, without any drama.’
Earlier this year, it was reported that Ruiz’s ex-partner was granted a restraining order against the heavyweight amid allegations of ‘sexual, physical and psychological abuse’.
Ruiz was accused of terrorizing Julia Lemus and even pointing a AK-47 at her face. He denied the allegations and paints a rather different picture of the relationship.
‘It wasn’t good for my mental health or for my career.’ Now? ‘It’s like a big mountain fell out of my back.’
The heavyweight continues: ‘We all have little mental breakdowns – especially when it’ your partner… I had to break up and find myself again. God put me here for a mission, and I’m here to continue it.’
The end goal? Reclaim those belts. ‘To prove – not just to my fans, but to me – that I’m capable of becoming a two-time heavyweight champion of the world,’ he says.
‘To show people that this chubby kid could do all these things – through God, he could beat all these giants… I’m back on the highway I was supposed to be on. He had to put me down, for me to learn and for me to get stronger.’
Ruiz is eyeing a title shot in 2025 but first he come through Miller. They are friends and he has a lot to thank Big Baby for. Those failed tests changed both fighters’ lives and altered the landscape of heavyweight boxing.
Now they meet in Los Angeles on a card topped by pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford. Ruiz and Miller were catapulted in opposite directions during those few weeks in 2019. Really, their paths should never have crossed. But this is boxing and this is where Ruiz finds himself in 2024.
‘I know I could have found somebody else – somebody easier – for my tune-up fight. But I think he is perfect,’ Ruiz says.
‘It’s like I’m starting all over again… I just have to climb up the ladder again, man. I have to stay motivated, ready and prepared.
‘If I win August 3rd, there’s no way I don’t want to fight again in two years. I don’t want to live that again. Now that I’ve taken all the negative stuff away from my life, I’m ready to hit it hard.’
Andy Ruiz Jr is predicted to win against Jarrell Miller by decision
Ruiz has a formidably fast and powerful fighting style with a 35-2 record
Miller’s resilience is highlighted with only one career stoppage loss
Andy Ruiz Jr vs Jarrell Miller Predictions & Tips
Andy Ruiz Jr is tipped to win this heavyweight clash by decision.
Ruiz Jr is the classier fighter with good hand speed and power and is likely to outclass Jarrell Miller.
Miller has got a good chin and plenty of heart though, so the former world champion may need the judges.
Andy Ruiz Jr has a 35-2 professional record
Andy Ruiz Jr’s only 2 defeats have come in world title fights
Andy Ruiz Jr’s last 3 fights have all gone the distance
Jarrell Miller has been stopped only 1 time in fighting career (boxing & kickboxing)
Andy Ruiz Jr Form
Andy Ruiz Jr is a former world heavyweight champion with a professional record of 35-2 (22 KOs).
Ruiz Jr won his first 29 professional fights to land himself a shot at a world title back in December 2016.
He came up short on the night as he lost to Joseph Parker by majority decision in a fight for the vacant WBO crown.
The 34-year-old rebounded with a first-round knockout of Devin Vargas, and backed that up with a points win over Kevin Johnson and a fifth-round stoppage of Alexander Dimitrenko.
Ruiz Jr then agreed to challenge WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua at short notice in June 2019.
‘The Destroyer’ stepped in after his opponent on Saturday, Jarrell Miller, failed a pre-fight drug test, and he shocked the world with a sensational stoppage win.
He survived a knockdown and then floored Joshua multiple times before the fight was finally waved off in the seventh round.
Ruiz Jr failed to retain the title, losing the rematch via unanimous decision, and he has fought just twice since then, beating Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz on points.
Jarrell Miller Form
Jarrell Miller is an American heavyweight fighter with a professional record of 26-1 (22 KOs) and 1 draw.
Miller debuted in 2009 and at one stage in his career he also competed in kickboxing, going 2-2 with his two losses being decision defeats to the legendary Mirko Cro Cop.
His first notable boxing match came in July 2017 when he stopped Gerald Washington in the eighth round, and he followed that up with a ninth-round stoppage of Mariusz Wach.
The 36-year-old American then beat Johann Duhaupas on points, before knocking out Tomasz Adamek in the second round and Bogdan Dinu in the further.
Those victories earned him a world title fight with Anthony Joshua in June 2019, but a failed drug test forced him out of the contest and it would be three years before ‘Big Baby’ returned to the ring.
Miller beat Ariel Bracamonte on points and then knocked out Derek Cardenas in the fourth round in his two outings in 2022.
He then fought twice in 2023 too, stopping Lucas Browne in the sixth round before being stopped in the 10th by Daniel Dubois.
Andy Ruiz Jr has put on 5.4lbs since his last outing.
The former unified heavyweight world champion returns to the ring on Saturday night after a two-year hiatus to face on the vs Israil Madrimov undercard.
Last time out, he defeated via unanimous decision in a WBC eliminator bout in September 2022 after weighing in at 268.8lbs (19.2 stone).
Ahead of his upcoming clash with Miller, Ruiz Jr has tipped the scales at 274.4lbs (19.6 stone) during a behind-closed-doors weigh-in.
Miller is over two stone heavier at 305.6lbs (21.8 stone)
For Miller, it is his lightest weight since 2018 and a 27.4lbs drop from his last fight against
Meanwhile, Ruiz Jr’s weight is his heaviest since his rematch with in December 2019.
Ruiz Jr shocked the world in June 2019 when he knocked out Joshua to become world champion in their inaugural encounter.
For the first fight, Ruiz Jr was 268lbs (19.1 stone) but when he ran it back with AJ six months later he was a whopping 283.5lbs (20.2 stone).
The stocky puncher blamed the 15lbs weight gain on ‘partying too much’ after winning the world titles and looked extremely sluggish as he laboured to a wide unanimous decision loss.
He will have to put on a far better display against Miller at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium if he hopes to return to the upper echelons of the heavyweight division.
Elsewhere on the bill, Crawford and Madrimov made championship weight for their WBA super-welterweight showdown.
Crawford came in at 153.4lbs (10.9 stone) while the Uzbek weighed in at 154lbs (11 stone).
Isaac Cruz and Jose Valenzuela’s WBA super lightweight title fight will also go ahead with the champion making 140lbs (10 stone) and the challenger stepping on the scales at 139.8lbs (9.9 stone).
In the other heavyweight bout, Martin Bakole was 284.4lbs (20.3 stone) while Jared Anderson was 252.4lbs (18 stone).
The rest of the reported main card weights can be found above.
All of the results were made official in the early hours of Saturday morning (UK time) at the ceremonial weigh-in.
Ruiz Jr said: “I feel like I’m in my prime right now. After all the ups and downs that I’ve been through, I feel like this is my moment, and we die inside that ring.
“We got to work really hard. He wants to be a champion, and I want to be a champion again. The best man wins on Saturday.”
Miller is hoping to replicate Ruiz Jr and move himself into a position to fight for a world title.
The American said: “He knows what it feels like to have his hand raised and get a championship belt. I don’t know yet.
“So, I’m still seeking that thrill. I’m still seeking that feeling, and the hunger inside of me is even stronger now.
Saudi Arabia are keen to make the boxing super-fight a reality and so is Crawford
Terence Crawford
is hungry for a mouth-watering fight with Mexico’s as Saudi Arabia bids to create one of the biggest events in recent boxing history by pitting the triple-weight champion against the most profitable name in the sport.
Canelo, known for his durability and excellent counterpunching skills, is boxing’s big fish in the post-Floyd Mayweather era and he’s racked up an incredible 61 wins from 65 fights, with just two losses showing how formidable he is
As a result, many throw their hands at him, and many miss their shot but Crawford feels claiming the scalp of the 34-year-old would catapult him into boxing greatness as his trainer says how eager he is for the punch-up.
“That’s how he is,” Brian McIntyre said of Crawford’s strive for greatness to BoxingScene. “He has to know. He wants to press to that next level. Always.”
The discussion comes after Saudi Arabia’s chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Tuki Alalshikh vowed to make good offers to both candidates for the bout, which would be forecast to happen in early 2025 based on current schedules.
Crawford already boasts an exceptional record with 40 fights, 40 wins and 31 knockouts. It has seen him become a champion in the lightweight division as well as undisputed king in the light-welterweight and welterweight class.
He also boasts wins over Errol Spence Jr., Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and Amir Khan showing that the 36-year-old is not afraid of facing the best and hasn’t just padded his record with easy fights against non-threatening opponents.
Who does Terence Crawford fight next?
Crawford is next in action on Saturday, August 3 when he faces Israil Madrimov at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California for the WBA Super-welterweight title as he seeks to become a four-class champion.
Alalshikh will be present as part of the Riyadh Season card, despite the fight happening in North America, giving him a close-up perspective of one half of a Canelo vs. Crawford event
The boxing star is referenced in Lamar’s track “Euphoria”
Terence Crawford never imagined he would find himself involved in one of the most talked-about hip-hop feuds
Los Angeles Lakers.
Terence Crawford never imagined he would find himself involved in one of the most talked-about hip-hop feuds.
Amid the dispute, a man covered his Drake tattoo on his thigh with a portrait of Kendrick Lamar
Crawford caught off guard by Kendrick track
The long-standing beef between and , initially marked by friendly rivalry, has evolved into a series of high-profile diss tracks.
In Lamar’s recent track “Euphoria,” released in April, the rapper made a surprising reference to Crawford, leaving the boxing community abuzz.
During a recent appearance on the ‘Impaulsive’ podcast with and Mike Majlak, Crawford shared his reaction to hearing his name in Lamar’s track.
Recalling the moment, Crawford said, “I woke up to like 20-30 messages, like, ‘Did you hear that?’ I am like, ‘What [are] you talking about?’ I am listening [to the song]… I am like that’s cool.”
In the song, Lamar raps, “Yeah, f**k all that pushin’ P, let me see you push a T / You better off spinnin’ again on him, you think about pushin’ me? / He’s Terrence Thornton, I’m Terence Crawford, yeah, I’m whoopin’ feet.”
Despite the sharp words, Crawford seemed to take it all in stride, appreciating the track’s appeal.
“I don’t think Drake can take it personally because in the hip-hop industry it’s a catchy song. I am sure we all got hyped for the song-I have,” he remarked.
The unexpected mention has only helped Crawford’s popularity, showcasing the cultural crossover between sports and music.
However, as engaging as the hip-hop drama is, Crawford’s primary focus remains on his boxing career.
Crawford, the heavy favorite against Israil Madrimov
This Saturday, Crawford aims to cement his legacy by becoming a four-weight world champion.
He faces the formidable WBA light middleweight champion Israil Madrimov, who claimed the title in March with a stunning fifth-round knockout against Magomed Kurbanov.
As Crawford prepares for the bout, the boxing world is rife with speculation about his future.
Fans and experts alike are eager to see who the pound-for-pound star will face next, considering the numerous contenders across different weight classes.
is a a talked about possibility, but the Mexican fighter seems to not be interested in a fight.
While Crawford is favored to win, Madrimov’s prowess as a boxer-puncher poses a significant threat.
Many fans and media might overlook Madrimov, but those familiar with his skill set know that he is not to be underestimated.
Crawford’s status as a favorite is well-earned, but in the unpredictable world of boxing, anything can happen.
The fight is scheduled for this Saturday, August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
