The up to date August third Riyadh Season card was launched at the moment for the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov occasion on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. There have been some surprises and dispointments.
Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s Absence: A Disappointment
One disappointment is that junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. is just not listed on the cardboard. His beforehand scheduled opponent, Tim Tszyu, needed to pull out because of a minimize that also hasn’t healed.
It was hoped {that a} alternative would have already been discovered for Vergil Jr. by now, however that’s not the case. Hopefully, Vergil Jr. is put again on the cardboard as a result of he’s one of many youthful fighters nonetheless in his prime.
Up to date Riyadh Season Card on August third
– Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov– Isaac Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela– Andy Ruiz vs Jarrell Miller– Jared Anderson vs Martin Bakole– David Morrell vs Radivoje Kalajdzic– Andy Cruz vs Antonio Moran
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov
The 36-year-old Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) strikes as much as 154 seeking his fourth division world title belt towards WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in a dangerous battle for the Nebraska native. Crawford is preventing a youthful, larger, and stronger Madrimov in his first contest at 154, and he might be making a mistake, particularly with him coming off a 13-month layoff.
Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs. Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela
That is the primary protection for WBA mild welterweight champion ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) in his just lately received 140-lb belt towards ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs).
It’s a bizarre battle, on condition that Rayo has misplaced two out of his final three contests. When a fighter has a 1-2 document, they don’t price preventing for a world title. Rayo fights at light-weight but is being given a world title shot at 140.
That is extra about promoting a battle to the general public than a real sporting match within the conventional sense. In some other sport, you wouldn’t see a crew dropping their method to the championship recreation, however in boxing, that is what you get.
Andy Ruiz vs. Jarrell ‘Huge Child’ Miller
Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) shall be coming off an extended two-year layoff when he faces 35-year-old just lately knocked out Jarrell ‘Huge Child’ Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs) in a toss-up battle between two wide-bodied fighters.
Miller was knocked out within the tenth spherical by Daniel Dubois final December in a aggressive battle in Riyadh. Ruiz, who hasn’t been all that formidable since incomes a $10 million goldmine in two fights towards Anthony Joshua in 2019, shall be making simply his third look in 5 years towards Miller.
Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole
The extremely hyped however badly flawed Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) takes a harmful step up in school towards British heavyweight Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs).
It’s shocking that Anderson’s promoters at Prime Rank are permitting him to battle a puncher like Bakole as a result of the 24-year-old has been matched completely towards mushy targets since turning professional in 2019.
I suppose you would say Prime Rank is throwing Anderson to the wolves in a sink-or-swim mode. If Anderson loses, they may minimize unfastened and give attention to fighters who’re going someplace.
David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic
Tremendous middleweight David Morrell Jr. (10-0, 9 KOs) is shifting up in weight to mild heavyweight to face Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs).
Morrell Jr. had hoped to get a title shot towards Canelo Alvarez at 168, however when it was clear there was no curiosity on the Mexican star’s half or some other alternatives for fascinating fights, the Cuban expertise selected to maneuver as much as 175 seeking fascinating fights.
Kalajdzic, 32, is coming off a win over Sullivan Barrera final January. He’s received his final 5 fights since being stopped by Artur Beterbiev within the fifth spherical in 2019.
Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran
2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) faces veteran Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) in a ten-round light-weight contest. Eddie Hearn promoted Cruz, who has tried to get larger fights at light-weight however has been ignored. So, he’ll probably need to earn his method to a compulsory spot earlier than he will get his title shot.
Moran, 31, is coming off a win over Romero Duno. Earlier than that, he was overwhelmed by Jamaine Ortiz.
