Former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford and current WBA 154 lbs champion Israil Madrimov are set to headline a star-studded card that will feature fighters from several promotions. The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), headed by Turki Al-Sheikh, is considered the main financial benefactor of the event which will be held at the BMO Arena in Los Angeles, California, on August 3rd.
Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KO’s) will not only be making his return the ring following his July 29th victory over Errol Spence Jr (28-1, 22 KO’s)―which culminated in him becoming the 147 lbs undisputed champion, but he will further main event alongside Uzbeki WBA super welterweight champion Israil Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KO’s) who will be defending his title. Additionally, the vacant WBO 154 lbs interim title has been confirmed to be on the line.
For both fighters it will be an opportunity to build upon or cement their legacy on one of the biggest stages available. Though Madrimov and Crawford vastly differ in experience, the two may be heading into one of the most competitive bouts of the year as the latter is set to make his 154 lbs debut against one of the most feared champions in the division.
Further of significance is the fact the two fighters will be featuring in the main event, suggesting that GEA chairman Turki Al-Sheikh regards their title bout to be one of the most significant of the year. With Crawford widely regarded as the pound-for-pound best, and Madrimov having proven to be an elite talent in just eleven fights as a professional, both fighters will be participating in one of the biggest events yet―encapsulated by the renowned fighters that will battle on the undercard.
The undercard will further feature the return of former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr (35-2, 22 KO’s) after an absence from the ring of almost two years since last fighting Luis Ortiz (34-3, 29 KO’s) in September of 2022. Ruiz will face off against fellow American Jarrell Miller (26-1-1, 22 KO’s). Their fight is set as a non-title bout.
Cuban WBA “regular” 168 lbs champion David Morrell (10-0, 9 KO’s) will be fighting for the vacant light-heavyweight version of the WBA “regular” title and will meet with Serbian-American 175 lbs contender Radijove Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KO’s).
Mexican WBA super lightweight champion Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KO’s) will defend his title for the first time against Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KO’s)―who will be making his 140 lbs debut as he moves up from the lightweight division for the first time.
Cuban lightweight contender Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO’s) is also set to progress with his career by finally fighting Antonio Moran (30-6-1, 21 KO’s), who currently occupies a rank as #35 on the WBC’s lightweight rankings, and is considered the #18th best lightweight in the world according to BoxRec. Cruz will be defending his IBF international title which he won in his pro debut.
Lastly, former WBO super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KO’s) may yet participate on the card depending on the result of Vergil Ortiz’ (20-0, 20 KO’s) April 27th fight against Puerto Rican former welterweight contender Thomas Dulorme.
The card will further be promoted by a plethora of different promotional outfits including Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, and Queensberry Promotions. Several other [smaller] promotions will also help promote, including the PBC-affiliated TGB Promotions who currently represents David Morrell and Andy Ruiz. Turki Al-Sheikh has been acknowledged to have had a major hand in setting up this event, managing to procure the funds needed for all of the participating promotions and their fighters to be able to compete on the same card.
Additionally, further fights―aside from the potential Tszyu-Ortiz bout―can be announced in the near future for the August 3rd LA card.
