To ensure a fair fight, Israil Madrimov’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, made a pointed appeal at Thursday’s press conference, emphasizing the importance of unbiased officiating for Madrimov's upcoming bout against three-division world champion Terence Crawford.
"My dream is to create something that nobody expects and win the fight I’m not supposed to win. I believe I can do that Saturday night," Madrimov stated.
Kornilov echoed these sentiments, urging the judges and officials to remain impartial and vigilant for a potential upset. This plea comes in light of recent controversial decisions in boxing, including Robson Conceicao’s junior-lightweight title victory over O’Shaquie Foster and Sean McComb’s split-decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr.
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Kornilov’s appeal was partly fueled by a recent split-decision win for Madrimov’s stablemate, Shakhram Giyasov, who faced Mexico’s Miguel Parra. Giyasov barely remained unbeaten, and Kornilov objected to a point deduction for a low blow, highlighting concerns over fair judging. In response, the California State Athletic Commission has appointed respected officials for the Crawford-Madrimov fight, including veteran referee Jack Reiss and judges Steve Weisfeld, Benoit Roussel, and Fernando Villarreal.
Despite the concerns, Kornilov emphasized that his comments were not an accusation of foul play but a reminder of the need for integrity in the sport. He praised the involvement of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season and its head, Turki Alalshikh, who he believes is committed to ensuring that the rightful winner emerges.
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Image Credit: DAZN