10.42 p.m PT / 06.42 a.m. UK

BUD WINS!

The judges reward Terence Crawford with a unanimous decision as Michael Buffer announces scores of 116-112, 115-113 (x2). It was a deserved win for Crawford but the fight itself shows Bud has work to do to adjust to life at super welterweight. The Canelo vs Crawford fight was a monster after the American’s monumental win over Errol Spence. But the hype to see Crawford jump over middleweight, to super middleweight, to fight Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez at 168 will likely fade away unless he gets another statement win.

10.42 p.m PT / 06.42 a.m. UK

WE AWAIT THE SCORECARDS

Press room scores seem pretty mixed, but I had it for Crawford in what was a fight to forget, in honesty.

10.40 p.m PT / 06.40 a.m. UK

FIGHT FINALLY COMES ALIVE … IN THE LAST ROUND

Crawford sought to close the show in style like a champion does, as he appeared to be on course for a 116-112 type of win, yet the more he let his hands go, the more he let Madrimov land tough shots of his own. The best round of the fight, by far. Crawford 116-112.

10.36 p.m PT / 06.36 a.m. UK

LEFT UPPERCUT STUNS MADRIMOV

Terence Crawford times a huge left uppercut into Israil Madrimov who over-extends and gets caught clean, but shakes off the shot. All Crawford has to do is not get himself knocked out, and he should get a win — though it’s been anything but spectacular. Crawford 106-103.

10.32 p.m PT / 06.32 a.m. UK

CRAWFORD STUFFS MADRIMOV’S MOMENTUM

Though both fighters have swelling under their eyes, you’d be forgiven for assuming it was an exciting fight. It’s not. It’s such a contrast for Crawford considering how tremendous a thriller his victory over Spence was, last year.  He gets one back in the 10th, though, stuffing Madrimov’s momentum. Crawford 96-94.

10.28 p.m PT / 06.28 a.m. UK

MADRIMOV MAKES CRAWFORD FEEL HIS POWER

Crawford gets a good welcome to life at 154 pounds as Madrimov made him feel a solid left hand. The gap is closing. Crawford 86-85.

10.24 p.m PT / 06.24 a.m. UK

MADRIMOV GETS ONE BACK

Though Madrimov has been bouncing around, doing little, for much of the fight, he gets one back in the eighth. Crawford 77-75.

10.19 p.m PT / 06.19 a.m. UK

CRAWFORD PULLS AHEAD

Though each round is close, Crawford is beginning to pull ahead now. Again, body work may be the difference. Madrimov fails to close the gap and find his range. Crawford 68-65.

10.15 p.m PT / 06.15 a.m. UK

THIS IS A SLOG

The Riyadh Season fight card in LA peaked with Martin Bakole. It’s been downhill ever since. In the sixth, Crawford gets one round back as he focuses on Madrimov’s body. Crawford 58-56, but it’s not a good fight to finish the night with.

10.11 p.m PT / 06.11 a.m. UK

CRAWFORD TOUCHES CANVAS FROM A TRIP

Madrimov trips Crawford, and the referee Jack Reiss correctly rules it a slip. Madrimov lands a few more shots. It’s a tactical fight, and is yet to catch fire. Crawford 48-47.

10.07 p.m PT / 06.07 a.m. UK

MADRIMOV SOCKS CRAWFORD WITH A HEAD SHOT

Madrimov finds success with a right hand he lands multiple times in the round, finally forcing Crawford to take a backward step. Crawford 39-37.

10.04 p.m. PT / 06.04 a.m. UK

CRAWFORD GETS CLOSER

Crawford controls the action with his jab, and distance management, as Israil Madrimov fails to land anything of note aside from a straight right. Crawford 30-27, but it’s closer than the score suggests.

10.00 p.m. PT / 06.00 a.m. UK

FIGHT YET TO COME ALIVE AFTER TWO ROUNDS

Israil Madrimov and Terence Crawford continue to feel one another out, while doing very little offensively. Crawford, though, continues to have a slight edge. Crawford 20-18.

9.57 p.m. PT / 05.57 a.m. UK

ROUND ONE IS IN THE BANK

Israil Madrimov takes control of the middle of the ring, as Terence Crawford appears patient, moving around the perimeter, and lands a solid combination at the end of the round. Crawford takes it 10-9.

9.54 p.m. PT / 05.54 a.m. UK

THE OPENING BELL IS A WELCOME SOUND

It’s finally main event time.

9.43 p.m. PT / 05.43 a.m. UK

I DID NOT EXPECT FOUR NATIONAL ANTHEMS

Pour out a little liquor for our east coast friends, and even more liquor for Europeans. This fight might not get started until 10 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. UK

9.39 p.m. PT / 05.39 a.m. UK

TERENCE CRAWFORD MAKES HIS WALK!

9.33 p.m. PT / 05.30 a.m. UK

ISRAIL MADRIMOV CHANNELS WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO

The champion, Israil Madrimov, walks to the ring first and scores a 10-9 on my entrance card for channeling Wladimir Klitschko with the song choice of ‘Can’t stop’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers. And, hell yeah, we’ve got fireworks! The pyrotechnics are needed after 45 minutes of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame and Eminem sucking the pacing out of this joint.

9.20 p.m. PT / 05.20 a.m. UK

RAP GOD DRAGS FIGHT EVENT OUT FURTHER

Eminem is now rapping. I’ve seen Em before, when he was in the peak of his powers, but the atmosphere now doesn’t feel like a hip hop concert. Or, even, a boxing show. I’ve heard from people behind the scenes that the organization and logistics of this entire thing has been a cluster-f***, with the BMO Stadium — though great for MLS, and, likely concerts — poorly set up for boxing. I’ve seen some quality shows in Las Vegas, and staying months on end in Abu Dhabi for UFC’s Fight Island was a unique experience. Riyadh Season’s debut in the US had potential to match events like Tank-Garcia, Spence-Crawford, Fury-Wilder II, Conor McGregor shows, and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement. But tonight’s event, so far, peaked with Martin Bakole’s bludgeoning of Jared Anderson. I like the intent. But the execution hasn’t matched it.

9.15 p.m. PT / 05.15 a.m. UK

SECURITY SEPARATE SHAKUR STEVENSON AND VASILIY LOMACHENKO IN THE CROWD

You know … there’s one way to resolve any rivalry here — fight!

9.05 p.m. PT / 05.05 a.m. UK

GLOVE CONTROVERSY

There’s reportedly a glove issue backstage, with Terence Crawford’s Grant gloves essentially falling apart during his warm-up in the locker room. Crawford now, according to ESPN reporter Mike Coppinger, objects to Israil Madrimov’s Grant gloves, too. Crawford traditionally prefers Everlast.

8.55 p.m. PT / 04.55 a.m. UK

ODDEST MOMENT OF THE NIGHT AWARD

What is the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame doing in Southern California? If you go to the actual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, it’s a nod to moments, fights, and fighters that made Las Vegas great. Turki Alalshikh has one fight event in the US, not even in Vegas but in Los Angeles, and the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame gets into the ring to provide an award. Strange that Nevada felt the need to do it, and not California, or Canastota. Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame founder Rich Marotta credited Alalshikh’s ability to get certain fights made.

8.42 p.m. PT / 04.42 a.m. UK

VALENZUELA EDGES IT!

With scores of 116-112 (Valenzuela), 115-113 (Cruz), and 116-112 (Valenzuela), the judges score a split decision to Valenzuela. Wow! Deserved, but this result has ramifications for boxing as Al Haymon, who happily sent Cruz to his rival Alalshikh’s card, now sees one less option for Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis at Premier Boxing Champions. Valenzuela, meanwhile, scoops the WBA world super lightweight championship after a two-fight rivalry with Chris Colbert.

8.39 p.m. PT / 04.39 a.m. UK

JOSE VALENZUELA AWAITS THE BIGGEST WIN OF HIS CAREER

Jose Valenzuela survives the distance, and celebrates in front of the crowd, likely ahead by a possible 7-5, at most 8-4 margin. Who had the Valenzuela-Bakole parlay?

8.35 p.m. PT / 04.35 a.m. UK

EDDIE HEARN’S NOT GOT A BAD SEAT, WITH TURKI ALALSHIKH ON HIS LEFT, AND SCOTTIE PIPPEN ON HIS RIGHT

8.34 p.m. PT / 04.34 a.m. UK

CRUZ RALLIES IN THE 11TH

If Valenzuela’s shot of the fight was an uppercut, Cruz’s best punch was easily the straight right.

8.25 p.m. PT / 04.25 a.m. UK

WE HAVE A SHOT TO THE GROIN

First real low blow of the entire night as Isaac Cruz wails an almighty hook into Jose Valenzuela’s nether-region.

8.16 p.m. PT / 04.13 a.m. UK

BEWARE OF THE DOG UPPERCUT

Some homes in the US have signs saying “Beware of the Dog,” and, when you look at either Cruz, or Valenzuela, you’d think such a sign should have been hung around Isaac’s neck. However, the story of the fight was really Valenzuela’s uppercut, and Cruz just wouldn’t take any notice of the continued signs that such a shot was going to be a problem, as his chin was, again, and again, there for the taking.

8.09 p.m. PT / 04.09 a.m. UK

A TALE OF TWO STYLES

‘Pitbull’ Cruz has his gloves high, almost like an earmuff defense, and has these bursts of punching flurries that look as painful as they are spiteful. Valenzuela, meanwhile, makes use of the one thing that Cruz lacks — range, as he effectively uses distance management to try and keep Cruz in the exact spot that keeps his opponent at bay but within punching distance.

8.02 p.m. PT / 04.02 a.m. UK

JOSE VELANZUELA COULD SCORE ANOTHER UPSET

We’d heard all week that Riyadh Season events always contain at least one upset. If Martin Bakole beating Jared Anderson was one, the Jarrell Miller and Andy Ruiz draw could have been another. But if the pace and momentum of Jose Valenzuela sticking it on Cruz in the co-main carries on, then another upset could be on the cards.

7.55 p.m. PT / 03.55 a.m. UK

ISAAC CRUZ THROWS EXTRAORDINARY OVERHAND LOOPERS

From his ring walk with the Pitbull mask, to his stone-cold stare, and then his unconventional punches like overhand loopers and misdirection hooks, Isaac Cruz is one of one, and took to the Jose Valenzuela fight like a dog to a bone. Try and not like this dude. Impossible.

7.42 p.m. PT / 03.42 a.m. UK

“A MEXICAN HANNIBAL LECTOR”

I’ve heard Isaac Cruz get called a lot of things this week, from a mini Mike Tyson according to his manager Sean Gibbons, to “a Mexican Hannibal Lector,” per Sergio Mora. Both are true. And he’s a clear fan-favorite, with the BMO Stadium almost at capacity for his co-main event against Jose Valenzuela.

7.23 p.m. PT / 03.23 a.m. UK

TURKI ALALSHIKH SAYS RIYADH SEASON WILL RETURN TO THE US

Boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh tells DAZN broadcaster Ade Oladipo that Riyadh Season will return to the US again and again. He also said an offer had been extended to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for a super-fight against Terence Crawford, “and if he’s smart, he’ll take it.” Alalshikh also said he wants to see Shakur Stevenson, who is here at the BMO Stadium, compete against Golden Boy boxer William Zepeda.

7.15 p.m. PT / 03.15 a.m. UK

MILLER AND RUIZ SHARE A DRAW 😲

Though Jarrell Miller had arguably done enough to take home the win, the judges scored a draw, which the American complained about post-fight, saying he’d been robbed. Ruiz, meanwhile, said he injured his hand. Ruiz removed his hand wrap when Miller was on the mic, and showed a gnarly bone protruding from the rest of his clearly-broken fist.

6.55 p.m. PT / 02.55 a.m. UK

MILLER TAKES OVER

This is only heading one way for Andy Ruiz who looks incredibly tired after eight rounds at the BMO Stadium, in what could have been a solid return to the ring. Instead, Miller looks like he’s headed toward a respectable bounce back win. It’s one he’s trained well for, having shedded 30 pounds from the frame he had against Daniel Dubois, when he lost late in the fight. Now, while Ruiz appears gassed, Miller is able to peel off crosses, and uppercuts, and chipping away at a fighter who could be there for the taking in the later rounds.

6.50 p.m. PT / 02.50 a.m. UK

MILLER BUILDS MOMENTUM

At the midway mark, Miller had done more than enough to win back-to-back rounds and even though Ruiz could still be ahead 4-2, he was beginning to wear the wounds of war with bruising around his eye. It also looked as though he was breathing heavy through an open mouth. Miller, meanwhile, had found his range and landed a helluva uppercut just before the finish.

6.45 p.m. PT / 02.45 a.m. UK

RUIZ STARTS TO TIRE

Though Ruiz had built an early lead, he appeared sluggish before even the half way point.

6.35 p.m. PT / 02.35 a.m. UK

RUIZ vs MILLER HAS LIFT OFF

Andy Ruiz fighting so far like he’s not been out of the ring for two years, beating Jarrell Miller to the punch. Miller up three rounds in.

6.25 p.m. PT / 02.25 a.m. UK

JARRELL MILLER AND ANDY RUIZ JR. MAKE THEIR WALKS

Bad day to be a canvas when two heavyweights enter the ring who weigh a combined 580 pounds.

6.10 p.m. PT / 02.10 a.m. UK

STADIUM FIGHTS REMIND ME OF ENGLAND

With a gap between fights, I can’t help but get nostalgic when it comes to shows at soccer stadiums. I’ve lived and worked in Las Vegas for three years, witnessing greatness when Terence Crawford beat Errol Spence in what many, at the time, regarded as a 50-50. Seeing Gervonta Davis — a red carpet fighter — continue to thump opponents to smithereens feels electric. And the UFC dominates the town with fighters like Alex Pereira, who keeps showing the Strip that he’s a natural born killer. But those fights are all at state-of-the-art arenas, not outdoor venues. I haven’t been to a stadium event since Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019. Looking back, England had just come out of its final lockdown from the deep COVID era, and so there was a carnival atmosphere all the way to the stadium for the Matchroom show with booze, music, and food trucks selling jerk chicken. Life felt good.

6.03 p.m. PT / 02.03 a.m. UK

THE REST OF THE NIGHT HAS MUCH TO LIVE UP TO

The battle between Martin Bakole and Jared Anderson was only the fifth fight of the night, and with three fights left, there could yet be another banger or two, with Andy Ruiz still to collide with Jarrell Miller, with Isaac Cruz against Jose Valenzuela, a live performance from Eminem, and the main event between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov. Let’s go!

5.50 p.m. PT / 01.50 a.m. UK

MARTIN BAKOLE BATTERS JARED ANDERSON! ITS OVER!

Though Anderson battled back valiantly the difference in power proved all too much by the fifth round as Bakole caught up with him again and again, tilting Anderson’s head back with jabs, landing uppercuts. Bakole was so ruthless he almost punched him out of the ring. An incredible win for Bakole, who derailed the Anderson train with a fifth-round knockout win. Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom waxed lyrical over Bakole, calling him “a beast.” Considering Anderson had been jawing with Jarrell Miller all week, Bakole could have leapfrogged Jared into a fight against the winner of the next bout between Miller and Andy Ruiz. There are great options all around for the heavyweight division which, while a struggle for Americans, continues to thrive for Europe-based big men.

5.44 p.m. PT / 01.44 a.m. UK

EUROPEAN PATHWAY AT HEAVYWEIGHT MORE RUGGED THAN AMERICA

Bakole has only fought four more fights than Anderson but in that run he’s taken on far superior opposition and, on nights like Saturday, that experience pays dividends. It’s perhaps testament to just how tough it is for heavyweights in Britain and Europe to muscle their way out of that region to become one of the best in the world, compared to American routes where you can develop a name without having overcome too many challenges. Bakole has been in the ring with Michael Hunter, Mariusz Wach, Kevin Johnson, Tony Yoka, and, most recently Carlos Takam. And that doesn’t even count the elite sparring he’s been a part of. Anderson hasn’t had anywhere near that schooling with his best win over his compatriot Charles Martin, whom he only beat by decision. The days of the great American heavyweight, right now, may be but a myth.

5.44 p.m. PT / 01.44 a.m. UK

“THESE ARE THE TYPES OF FIGHTS EVERYBODY LOVES!”

Anderson recovered sufficiently to continue a body attack on Bakole. Scottish-based Congo boxer Bakole had such an authority on the real estate in the ring, maneuvering Anderson into positions he wanted to even at a half-paced manner, before popping tentative jabs and then clubbing straights as he sought to tell Anderson good night, thanks for coming.

5.34 p.m. PT / 01.15 a.m. UK

JARED ANDERSON SAVED BY THE BELL!

Eddie Hearn told reporters earlier this week that there is always an upset on a Riyadh Season card, and we almost got it in the very first round of Jared Anderson vs Martin Bakole fight. At the end of the opener, Bakole hit Anderson with a combination, landing each shot in the sequence on different sides of the American’s skull, staggering him backward, and leaving him vulnerable to the earliest of finishes. Fortunately for Anderson, he was saved by the bell and allowed a minute’s break to recover before the second.

5.10 p.m. PT / 01.10 a.m. UK

DAVID MORRELL GETS HIS W

“I want it and I want to show everybody I’m the best,” David Morrell said after his win, before calling out a fellow fighter from the super middleweight division, now at 175. “Everybody says David Benavidez is the boogieman [so let’s go].”

4.20 p.m. PT / 00.20 a.m. UK

‘HOT ROD’ PROVIDES STIFF OPPOSITION IN MIDDLE ROUNDS

After a strong start from Morrell, ‘Hot Rod’ built some momentum in the middle rounds. That was, until the eighth, when David Morrell threatened to get rid of Kalajdzic. By the end, Morrell got a well-deserved win which he had to work hard for, as he adjusts to lift as a 175-pounder.

4.00 p.m. PT / 00.00 a.m. UK

DAVID MORRELL WALKS TO THE RING

Another elite Cuban fighter David Morrell makes his way to the ring for his light heavyweight debut and a baptism of fire as he takes on ProBox Promotions stalwart ‘Hot Rod’ Radivoje Kalajdzic.

3.45 p.m. PT / 11.45 p.m. UK

TOP PROSPECT ANDY CRUZ GETS HIS WIN

In terms of future fights, there may be few that develop more hype than one involving 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, and blue-chip Top Rank prospect Keyshawn Davis. Matchroom boxed Cruz for the fourth time in his pro career Saturday, and the phenom finished a fighter with 36 bouts behind him in Antonio Moran. With a three-fight combination that hit either side of Moran’s jaw, Cruz staggered his opponent into the ropes, prompting the referee to step in and secure the stoppage in the Cuban’s favor. If he keeps overpowering opponents on his way up the 135-pound rankings, it’ll only be a matter of time before he stares opposite Davis in a bout that could define both of their careers.

3.30 p.m. PT / 11.30 p.m. UK

EARLY RESULTS FILTER IN

Ziyad Almaayouf and Michal Bulik fought to a majority draw in one of the earlier results, before Steven Nelson finished Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez in the second and final off-PPV part of the card.

3.15 p.m. PT / 11.15 p.m. UK

MATCHROOM HELPS BRING RIYADH SEASON TO LOS ANGELES

The Downtown Los Angeles cityscape and the San Gabriel Mountains provide a stunning backdrop and grand finale at the BMO Stadium of a fight week that has taken media and fans from a free, three-fight card on the boardwalk of Santa Monica pier, to the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood, and now the BMO Stadium — home of 2022 MLS Cup winner Los Angeles FC.

3.00 p.m. PT / 11.00 p.m. UK

HELLO AND WELCOME!

What’s good fight family this is Alan Dawson reporting live from Los Angeles for the inaugural Riyadh Season event in the US, featuring a main event between WBA super welterweight world champion Israil Madrimov and challenger Terence Crawford, who returns to the ring for the first time since the all-time great beating he gave Errol Spence Jr. to stake his claim as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in all boxing.

Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov Undercard

Terence Crawford will square off against Israil Madrimov for the WBA World Super-Welterweight title at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Action begins at 21:20 in the UK, 16:20 Eastern and 13:20 Pacific.

The undercard can seen live on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel:

Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov Running Order

12 x 3 mins WBA World Super Welterweight Title
Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov

12 x 3 mins WBA World Super Lightweight Title
Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs Jose Valenzuela

12 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Jarrell Miller

12 x 3 mins NABF & WBO International Heavyweight Titles
Jared Anderson vs Martin Bakole

12 x 3 mins WBA World Light Heavyweight Title
David Morrell vs Radivoje Kalajdzic

10 x 3 mins IBF International Lightweight Title
Andy Cruz vs Antonio Moran

10 x 3 mins Super Middleweight contest
Steve Nelson vs Marcos Ramon Vazquez

6 x 3 mins Welterweight contest
Ziyad Almaayouf vs Michal Bulik