Madrimov fought Terence Crawford in August 2024 and lost a unanimous decision. He said Crawford talked less about future fights and more about being done with training camps, the wear and tear that was accumulating and the fact that he no longer needed boxing to support himself. That combination, Madrimov believes, separates Crawford from most fighters who walk away only to circle back.
“Before he announced his retirement, we met, and he told me he was done,” Madrimov continued The Ring. “He said he had had enough of the sport and that he wasn’t chasing money. I thought maybe he was just saying that and that a big offer would change things. But he said no. I believe him.”
Crawford retired undefeated after 42 fights, with 31 stoppages, and walked away as The Ring’s #1 pound-for-pound fighter. His last fight came on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he outpointed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to become a fully unified champion in a third division, a feat no male boxer had previously accomplished. It was a clean exit, with time at the top, and it removed most of the usual reasons to continue.
Madrimov did not hide his respect, but the gist of his comments was not praise. It was certainty. He said Crawford cares about his record, his health and leaving without giving the sport a chance to take anything back.
Madrimov returns to the ring on January 24 in Las Vegas after an 11-month absence. Surgeries on his left shoulder and left knee sidelined him after his loss to Vergil Ortiz Jr. last February. He faces David Salazar in a 10-round bout on the Raymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz undercard at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, with DAZN streaming the card.
Most fighters say they are done, but very few sound like they mean it. Crawford appears to be one of them.
