LAS VEGAS — Israil Madrimov’s long-awaited return to the ring didn’t quite go according to script. Fighting for the first time in nearly a year, Israil Madrimov was expected to blow out a massive underdog in what was billed as a straightforward tune-up bout. Instead, the former WBA junior middleweight champion was forced to go the full 10 rounds, settling for a wide but underwhelming unanimous decision Saturday night at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on the undercard of Raymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz.
Judges Glenn Feldman, Chris Migliore and Don Trella all scored the fight 99-91 in favor of Madrimov, but the mere fact that the scorecards were needed raised eyebrows.
A Heavy Favorite, A Flat Performance
Madrimov entered the bout as a staggering 35-1 favorite at DraftKings. Against Dominican opponent Salazar an opponent his handlers clearly expected him to dispatch quickly. That never materialized.
While Madrimov clearly controlled the action and was never in danger of losing, he struggled to separate himself from the light-punching, slower Salazar, who absorbed flush right hands without ever appearing seriously hurt. Madrimov finally buzzed him in the final minute, but by then the fight had already drifted into decision territory.
The performance was a far cry from the version of Madrimov who pushed Terence Crawford to the brink last year in what many still consider Crawford’s toughest fight en route to retirement.
Madrimov (11-2-1, 7 KOs) did suffer a cut near his left eye in the sixth round, but otherwise emerged healthy. Salazar (20-2, 7 KOs) relied on movement, clinching and survival tactics to make it to the final bell, clearly outgunned but game.
Short Camp, Lingering Questions
After the fight, Madrimov revealed to The Ring that he trained for just five weeks, pushing promoter Matchroom Boxing to secure him a bout before Ramadan begins in mid-February. While understandable, the short camp appeared evident in his conditioning and overall sharpness.
The 30-year-old Uzbek fighter was making his first appearance since a unanimous decision loss to Vergil Ortiz Jr. last February in Riyadh a bout contested while Madrimov was battling bronchitis, pneumonia, and lingering injuries. He later underwent surgeries to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Madrimov said he felt much healthier this time around. Still, the performance left questions about where he truly stands among the elite at 154 pounds especially if, as he’s stated, he intends to face another top junior middleweight next.
Omari Jones Continues His Rise
Elsewhere on the card, highly touted prospect Omari Jones quietly did exactly what he was supposed to do.
Jones remained unbeaten, continuing to build momentum early in his professional career with another composed performance. While Madrimov’s bout raised concerns. Jones’ showing reinforced his status as one of the young fighters worth watching closely as 2026 unfolds.
What It Means Going Forward
For Madrimov, the win keeps him relevant in a crowded junior middleweight division but the aura took a hit. Going the distance with such a heavy underdog won’t erase his resume. Yet it underscores how much work remains if he’s to reinsert himself into world-title conversations.
The talent is still there. The health appears improved. Now, the conditioning and sharpness must catch up quickly if Madrimov plans to test himself against the division’s best once again.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
