LOS ANGELES, August 3, 2024 — At BMO Stadium, Terence “Bud” Crawford added a fourth world title to his storied career, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov to claim the WBA super welterweight championship. In a chess match disguised as a firefight, the seasoned Omaha native proved just enough to outlast the rising Uzbek talent in a battle that tested both strategy and spirit.

Crawford, stepping into unfamiliar territory at 154 pounds, didn’t get a warm welcome. From the opening bell, Madrimov—labelled an underdog—showed no fear of Crawford’s reputation. With sharp movement and deceptive timing, Madrimov disrupted Crawford’s rhythm and made it clear this wasn’t going to be another highlight-reel stoppage for the future Hall of Famer.

Madrimov’s early success came behind crisp right hands and elusive footwork. He slipped and countered effectively, keeping Crawford from switching stances and forcing the American to remain southpaw all night. Crawford responded with measured pressure, leaning on a stinging jab and well-placed uppercuts to close distance and slow the challenger’s momentum.

Each round unfolded like a pendulum, with neither fighter able to dominate for long. Madrimov’s aggression and sharp counters kept him in the contest, but Crawford’s poise and finishing instincts proved vital in the championship rounds. By the final bell, both men bore the marks of battle, but it was Crawford who swayed the judges with cleaner late work and ring generalship.

The scorecards read 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 — all for Crawford — who now sits as one of the sport’s few four-division world champions. This was the first time since 2016 that Crawford had gone a full 12 rounds, and it snapped his 11-fight stoppage streak.

Punch stats told the story of a razor-thin contest: Crawford landed 95 of 433 punches, while Madrimov connected on 84 of 275, with the Uzbek landing more power shots overall. Though Madrimov exited with his first professional loss, he earned the respect of the boxing world and immediately called for a rematch.

As for Crawford, now 41-0, the future remains tantalizing. Though a Canelo Alvarez super-fight has been floated, “Bud” made it clear he’s focused on the legacy — not just the pay check. For now, he’ll savour victory in a night that proved his greatness isn’t just built on dominance, but on grit, adaptability, and championship heart.