Terence Crawford went the distance for the first time in nearly eight years Saturday night.
But "Bud" got the better of a high-level boxing chess match in notching a unanimous decision victory over Israil Madrimov to become the new WBA super welterweight world champion on Saturday night, live on DAZN .
Judges at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 for Crawford who grabbed a world title in a fourth division. (DAZN News scored it 117-111 for Crawford).
"[Madrimov] is real strong, he's durable, he took a lot of good shots and he got me to round 12," Crawford told DAZN's Chris Mannix.
He added later: "For us to come and fight a guy of his caliber the first fight [at 154 pounds] says a lot about me and my team."
From the opening bell, Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) was faced with a feinting, posturing Madrimov (10-1, 7 KOs) who constantly maintained a bounce to his step over the course of the fight. Crawford responded to that unrelenting movement by showing a southpaw stance which he stayed disciplined to for most of the fight.
Madrimov's movement made it difficult for Crawford to time, though "Bud" would download enough information to catch the Uzbek fighter with counterpunches after depositing body shots early.
Madrimov, too, had success counterpunching Crawford, though as they let their hands go more during the championship rounds, Crawford got the better of the exchanges, landing clean uppercuts and combinations as more of the bout's aggressor to victory.
Though the win was void of a highlight-reel knockout, it was strategic sweet science that Crawford made sure to edge Madrimov in, adding the WBA super welterweight world title to his previously won undisputed crowns at welterweight and super lightweight, and his lightweight world championship before that.
Afterwards, Crawford maintained the ambition to move up and face Canelo Alvarez.
"If the money's right," Crawford said, "we got a fight."
Here's how the entire Crawford-Madrimov pay-per-view main card went.
Live on DAZN : Check your region for PFL and PFL Europe on DAZN . Click here for details.