Israel Madrimov takes a breather, outpoints Luis David Salazar
LAS VEGAS – After two grueling battles that tested his limits, Israel Madrimov was entitled to a moment of respite. And on Saturday night, he made the most of it, cruising to a decisive victory over Luis David Salazar. Madrimov, a former 154-pound champion, showcased his talent and endurance, moving back towards title contention with a commanding performance.
Madrimov, with an impressive 11-2-1 record (including 7 knockouts), treated Salazar like a warm-up partner, dominating the bout with a unanimous 99-91 scorecard victory. His manager, Vadim Kornilov, praised his performance, stating, 'He got the work he needed and looked fantastic.'
Madrimov's journey to this point has been challenging. He faced back-to-back formidable opponents in Terence Crawford and Vergil Ortiz Jr., both of whom he lost to by unanimous decision. However, he demonstrated his resilience and skill, backing up Salazar with a powerful left in the first round and dominating the second with relentless punches.
In the fourth round, Madrimov adopted a southpaw stance, mirroring Crawford's strategy, and landed powerful punches, keeping Salazar subdued. The sixth round tested his endurance as his left eye swelled from a punch, forcing him back to an orthodox stance. Despite the eye injury, he continued to batter Salazar in the ninth, showcasing his determination.
The final rounds were a display of Madrimov's prowess. In the tenth, he unleashed a barrage of heavy head shots, leaving Salazar wobbly and disoriented. Kornilov believes Madrimov is now poised to challenge the top names in the junior middleweight division, including Jaron Ennis and IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Meanwhile, on the undercard, Omari Jones, a 2024 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, extended his knockout streak by defeating Jerome Baxter in the first round. Jones, 23, won with a unanimous decision, his record improving to 5-0 (4 KOs). Zaquin Moses, a 20-year-old lightweight, also secured a unanimous decision over Leandro Medina, showcasing his skill and speed.
Kaipo Gallegos, a junior welterweight prospect, impressed the hometown crowd with his dynamic punching, stopping Wilson Akinocho in the second round. Cuban southpaw Ronny Alvarez dominated Braulio Matias in the opener, securing a sixth-round TKO. Lance Pugmire, a renowned boxing writer, covered the event, highlighting the talent and excitement on display.
