After facing a gauntlet of elite opponents, Israel Madrimov finally got the breathing room he desperately needed, outpointing Luis David Salazar in a bout that felt more like a glorified sparring session. This welcome respite allowed the former 154-pound titleholder to cruise to a victory, signaling his return to the path of championship contention.
Madrimov, now holding a record of 11 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw (with 7 knockouts), treated his Dominican Republic opponent, Luis David Salazar, with a level of dominance that saw him win on all three scorecards with a 99-91 margin. His manager, Vadim Kornilov, aptly described it as, "Exactly what he needed – he got the work and looked good." This sentiment highlights the strategic importance of this fight for Madrimov, especially after his recent grueling challenges.
Just prior to this bout at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Madrimov had been in back-to-back high-stakes confrontations, enduring unanimous decision losses to the legendary five-division champion Terence Crawford and the formidable WBC interim junior middleweight belt holder, Vergil Ortiz Jr. These were battles that demanded every ounce of his skill and stamina.
Originally a WBA 154-pound titlist from Uzbekistan, Madrimov wasted no time asserting his presence. In the opening round, a powerful left hand immediately pushed Salazar back. By the second round, Madrimov was showcasing his offensive prowess, cornering his opponent with a barrage of punches. Interestingly, mirroring a tactic Crawford had employed against him, Madrimov switched to a southpaw stance in the fourth round. This proved effective, allowing him to land significant power shots with both hands and keep Salazar in a defensive posture.
But here's where it gets a bit challenging for Madrimov... In the sixth round, a punch caused his left eye to swell, prompting him to revert to his orthodox stance. This moment also served as a test of his endurance, particularly given the lingering effects of bronchitis and pneumonia that had impacted his lungs over the past year. Despite the visible swelling around his eye, Madrimov continued to land heavy blows to Salazar's head in the ninth round. The intensity escalated in the tenth, with Madrimov unleashing a sustained offensive in the final minute, leaving Salazar visibly shaken and unsteady as the final bell rang.
Looking ahead, Kornilov expressed confidence that Madrimov is now perfectly positioned to face the top contenders in the competitive junior middleweight division later this year. Names like Jaron “Boots” Ennis and IBF titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev are reportedly in the mix.
And this is the part most people miss... The undercard also featured some exciting performances. In a bout preceding the IBF lightweight title main event between Raymond Muratalla and Andy Cruz, Omari Jones, a 2024 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist from Orlando, Florida, continued his impressive knockout streak by dropping Jerome Baxter in the first round. While he ultimately settled for a victory on the scorecards, his 60-53 win over three cards showcased his power. Jones, at 23 years old, now stands at 5-0 (4 KOs).
Adding to the family's presence, Zaquin Moses, the 20-year-old cousin of Shakur Stevenson, also secured a unanimous decision win with 60-53 scores across the board against Argentina's Leandro Medina. Stevenson was seen ringside, urging his cousin to "keep boxing." Moses, 20 years old and 6-0 (3 KOs), even scored a knockdown and inflicted a cut on Medina's right eye.
In another exciting matchup, Las Vegas junior welterweight prospect Kaipo Gallegos, just 19 years old, delivered a dynamic performance for his hometown crowd. He stopped Angola's Wilson Akinocho with an unanswered flurry of punches in the second round, with the stoppage occurring at 1 minute and 52 seconds. Gallegos remains undefeated at 11-0-1 (9 KOs).
Rounding out the night's action, Cuban southpaw Ronny Alvarez, 21 years old, dominated his opponent, Braulio Matias, en route to a sixth-round TKO. Alvarez, 6-0 (5 KOs), scored a knockdown in the fifth, and as the punishment continued in the sixth, referee Robert Hoyle issued a warning to Matias for excessive holding, stating, "You’ve got to show me something." When Matias resorted to holding again, the fight was stopped at the 1:18 mark of the sixth round.
Now, let's open this up for discussion: While Madrimov's performance was a much-needed confidence booster, some might argue that facing a less experienced opponent after two tough losses could be seen as a step back. Do you believe this type of fight is crucial for rebuilding momentum, or could it be perceived as avoiding tougher competition too soon? What are your thoughts on the future matchups for Madrimov in the stacked junior middleweight division? Let us know in the comments below!
