Terence Crawford steps back into the ring this Saturday for the first time since his impressive victory over long-time rival Errol Spence Jr. last year.
Following his ninth-round knockout win over Spence, Crawford unified all major welterweight world championships and was riding high on success.
After establishing himself as one of the greats in the 147-pound division alongside legends like Oscar de la Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, and Sugar ‘Ray’ Leonard, Crawford was in talks for a potential blockbuster match-up against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Despite the weight difference, the fight would have undoubtedly been a major draw for fans.
However, with Spence choosing not to exercise his rematch clause, Crawford has been on a hiatus, losing some of his momentum in the process.
Now, as he prepares to face Israil Madrimov at the 22,000 capacity BMO Stadium, all eyes will be on Crawford to see if he can regain his form and star power.
During a workout session on Santa Monica pier, surrounded by media and fans, Crawford seemed at ease under the spotlight, hinting at his growing comfort with media attention.
As drones flew overhead to capture the scene and spectators on rides watched from afar, Crawford showcased his skills in the ring before posing for photographers, creating anticipation for his upcoming fight.
While the event had all the makings of a big fight night, the ultimate test will be in the ticket sales and pay-per-view numbers, determining whether the hype surrounding Crawford’s return will translate into a successful event.