By Arthur Rooks, Boxing Contributor

Boxing enthusiasts have a thrilling weekend ahead as several highly anticipated bouts are set to take place, headlined by the clash between Israil Madrimov and Terence Crawford for the junior middleweight title. Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), a three-division champion and undisputed at 140 and 147 pounds, is coming off a dominant ninth-round TKO victory over Errol Spence Jr., where he unified all four major welterweight belts.

His opponent, Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) from Uzbekistan, has made waves in his 11 professional fights, most recently stopping Magomed Kurbanov in five rounds last March. This fight promises to be a test of skill and endurance, as Madrimov looks to upset the legendary Crawford.

The heavyweight division also boasts a significant matchup between former titleholder Andy Ruiz Jr. and Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller. Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) is best known for his stunning victory over Anthony Joshua in 2019, though he struggled in the rematch due to conditioning issues.

His recent weight of 269 pounds in his bout against Luis Ortiz two years ago suggests a need for better preparation. Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs), at 36 years old, has faced similar issues, tipping the scales at a massive 333 pounds for his fight against Daniel Dubois. This clash of heavyweights could hinge on who comes in better shape, making it a must-watch for fans.

Additionally, the weekend features rising stars and seasoned fighters across multiple weight classes. Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) faces Martin Bakole (20-1, 15 KOs) in a heavyweight bout that could have title implications, with Anderson ranked in the top five by two world governing bodies and Bakole as the WBA’s No. 1 contender. In the junior welterweight division, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) squares off against southpaw Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs), both coming off impressive wins.

Meanwhile, David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) and Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) battle for the vacant WBA “regular” light heavyweight title, with Morrell eyeing a future showdown with full champion Dmitry Bivol. This lineup ensures that boxing fans are in for a weekend of explosive action and high-stakes drama.