Promoter Eddie Hearn has sent a warning to Terrence Crawford ahead of his next fight against Israel Madrimov.
Terrence Crawford arguably cemented himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet with a knockout win over Errol Spence Jr. in his last contest.
The now three-weight world champion is aiming to win a title in a fourth division but Eddie Hearn thinks his next fight could be the toughest of his career against Israel Madrimov.
Hearn says Crawford is going to ‘come crumbling down’
Crawford will move up in weight to super welterweight and take on WBA title holder Madrimov in an attempt to become a four-division world champion.
Hearn promotes Madrimov and is backing his man to cause a huge upset and derail Crawford’s plans of a fantasy fight with Canelo Álvarez.
“Everybody you know, the media, the fans, His Excellency (Turki Alalshikh), stop talking about plans for Terence Crawford, because he’s going to come crumbling down on August 3,” Hearn told Boxing Scene.
“You’ve got a big, strong super welterweight that can punch and is in his prime.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a big favorite against Madrimov, but do not rule this guy out.
“You’ve got one of the cards here, one of the nights of the year, one of the best cards I’ve ever seen in American boxing.
“This is a tough fight for Terence, one of the toughest fights of his career so far.”
Crawford to become three-weight undisputed champion
Crawford is one of three fighters to become undisputed champion in two weight classes but will be hoping to go one better and win a record third.
Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue are the other two and the American’s closest rivals in the pound-for-pound debate.
Now the three-weight world champion could have a clear route to another shot at the undisputed title, this time at super welterweight.
A win over Madrimov will not only earn Crawford the WBA title but likely the WBO belt as well after champion Sebastian Fundora chose to vacate the title rather than fight the American.
That leaves just two belts to collect for the former undisputed super lightweight and welterweight champion to win a record third.