A clash between former 154-lb world champions Israel Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk is being discussed for the undercard of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk II on December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A Fight That Matters To Watch
Madrimov vs. Bohachuk was previously discussed as a possibility for the Fury-Usyk 2 card, and now it looks like it could be. That would be the highlight fight that could spark the card on PPV.
“I have been informed that the fight between Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk will be discussed on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Fury-Usyk 2 card,” reports Fernando Sabatini at X.
If the Madrimov-Bohachuk fight happens, it should be an action-packed contest with plenty of potential. Madrimov, 29, may have learned a lesson from his recent loss to Terence Crawford that he should loosen his grip and fight hard.
He eschewed his usual grappling style in favor of beating Crawford, who was playing into the hands of the Nebraska native. You can never outbox a boxer. Madrimov was hoping for a rematch with Crawford, and there was no chance of that happening. Crawford is happy with his narrow decision win and is now looking forward to Canelo Alvarez’s payday. That doesn’t look good either.
If Bohacuk is the best Madrimov can get, he should be satisfied. Madrimov said he wants to fight for the world title as soon as possible against one of the 154-year-old champions, but they are all tied up right now.
Bohachuk’s confirmation
Former WBC interim junior middleweight champion Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) lost a controversial 12-round majority decision to Vergil Ortiz Jr. on August 10 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Many boxing fans felt that Bohachuk, 29, should have won, as he knocked out Vergil Jr. down twice, fired heavy shots, and pushed the fight to the end.
Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford on August 3 at the Riyadh Season event at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
It was a close enough fight that it could have gone either way, but the judges gave it to Crawford as he dominated the last three rounds, 10 to 12.
Once again, Madrimov deviated from his usual style by punching the 36-year-old Crawford, who was weak rather than using his youth and strength to win.
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