Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov Event Suffers Major Loss

Last weekend, the highly anticipated boxing event featuring Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov ended in a significant financial loss. The match, part of the Riyadh Season, took place at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, a choice that diverged from the traditional Las Vegas venue. The event, orchestrated by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, reportedly lost over $10 million.

Terence Crawford (Left) faced off against Israil Madrimov (Right) at the BMO Arena in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)

A Main Event That Missed the Mark

The decision to host Crawford vs. Madrimov as the main event in Southern California proved to be a costly one. Despite efforts to fill the BMO Stadium by distributing free tickets, many seats remained empty throughout the night. According to boxing journalist Kevin Iole, the event’s pay-per-view sales were disappointingly low, and the stadium was far from full.

Why the Event Didn’t Take Off

Several factors contributed to the event's struggles:

• Crawford’s Long Layoff: Terence Crawford had been inactive for 13 months, with his previous bouts being annual since 2020.

• Limited Star Power: Crawford, known for his skill but lacking charisma, failed to attract a broad audience. Israil Madrimov, who had only 11 professional fights and little recognition in the U.S., didn’t help the situation.

• Poor Location Choice: Staging the fight in Los Angeles, rather than a more traditional boxing hub like Las Vegas, didn’t help draw in fans.

• Inadequate Promotion: The fight lacked effective promotion, which further dampened interest.

• Underwhelming Undercard: Although the undercard fights were solid, none were significant enough to boost the main event’s appeal.

Israil Madrimov (Above), despite having an impressive record, is still largely unknown in the United States. It is thought this contributed to the low turnout.

Looking Ahead: Canelo Alvarez as a Potential Solution

With Crawford's current lack of drawing power, bringing in a well-known fighter like Canelo Alvarez could be the key to revitalizing his career. A match between Crawford and Alvarez could generate significant interest and fill a stadium on the West Coast, should His Excellency Turki Alalshikh choose to host it there.

Crawford, despite his technical prowess, hasn’t managed to captivate casual fans. To turn things around, he needs to face opponents who generate excitement. If big names like Canelo aren’t feasible, Crawford might need to focus on smaller venues, perhaps returning to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, where he might better connect with local fans.