Israil Madrimov is not one to back down from a challenging fight, and with his recent history of facing elite opponents like Terence Crawford and Vergil Ortiz Jr., it's clear that he's eager to put himself to the test once again. After experiencing the longest break of his career, this former WBA 154lbs champion from Uzbekistan, now holding a record of 10 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw (with 7 KOs), is set to make his return to the boxing ring this Saturday night in Las Vegas. He will be going up against Luis David Salazar, a contender from the Dominican Republic who boasts a record of 20 wins and 1 loss (also with 7 KOs).
This matchup will serve as the co-main event streamed on DAZN, preceding Raymond Muratalla's IBF lightweight title defense against Cuba’s Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, who won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Throughout his boxing journey—dating back to his amateur days and swift rise to securing the WBA belt—30-year-old Madrimov has consistently sought out tough opponents. Currently ranked among the top 10 by three different sanctioning bodies, he aims to deliver a strong performance that could earn him another shot at a title in his next fight.
Madrimov expressed a desire to challenge the reigning IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, who is scheduled to defend his title against England’s Josh Kelly on January 31, or the WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, a towering 6-foot-6 fighter whom Madrimov considers to be the best in their weight class.
Having already faced formidable opponents, he notably found himself tied on two scorecards after 10 rounds in an exhilarating match against the now-retired five-division champion Terence Crawford in August 2024. Furthermore, he became one of only two fighters to go the full 12 rounds with the undefeated Ortiz in February.
"I've always pursued the toughest and most significant fights available," Madrimov shared with BoxingScene. "If you look at my track record, it's evident that I have constantly been on the hunt for titles. Now, following these challenging matches, I'm returning to the ring to test my abilities and prove to everyone that I still belong at the highest level—that I can compete with and defeat the best fighters out there."
Madrimov’s comeback comes after enduring serious health issues, including a bout of bronchitis that escalated into pneumonia, which hampered his performance against Ortiz. Additionally, he has recovered from shoulder and knee surgeries resulting from injuries sustained before the Crawford match and during his fight with Ortiz.
"I was really unwell. My lungs were heavily damaged, and though I took antibiotics, the training for the Ortiz fight made things worse instead of better. It was a foolish decision that further harmed me," Madrimov explained. "By the fifth round, I was already exhausted and struggling to catch my breath. I traveled to Germany, India, and other places seeking the best treatment from doctors. While I am feeling much better now, the recovery process has been extensive and continues to be active."
He mentioned that he still has two months' worth of medication to help regain strength in his legs but feels confident about his upcoming fight on Saturday. "The difference in how I feel now compared to my last match is like night and day," he remarked. "I genuinely feel like a different person now.
The biggest challenge for me is that I've never had such a long absence from the ring in my two decades of boxing. Keep in mind, I won the WBA belt and fought Crawford and Ortiz all within a span of less than 12 months.
Perhaps that prolonged me more than I realized. The plan is to come back, test my body, and see how it responds, gradually working through the gears without rushing. I know I’m up against a solid opponent—someone with everything to prove. I need to demonstrate that I’m here for a reason. Ideally, my body will cooperate, and I can shake off the rust... stepping under the bright lights to perform for the fans. Ultimately, gauging my current condition and how my body reacts is my main goal for this fight."
Declaring his full return to form would surely make a strong statement, especially given Madrimov's impressive showing against Crawford, who later moved up two weight classes to decisively defeat Canelo Alvarez in September, capturing an unprecedented third undisputed title within the four-belt era.
"I couldn't say I was surprised by Crawford’s win," Madrimov reflected. "I’ve always recognized his exceptional skill level—he has consistently been my pick for the best pound-for-pound fighter, the whole package, and my favorite boxer as I grew up.
Prior to the Canelo fight, I told everyone that if Crawford managed to move up in weight wisely, he could effectively outbox Canelo. I only considered Canelo having a chance to possibly knock Crawford out. I knew Terence was the superior boxer, and he proved it even more convincingly than I anticipated. In our country, we refer to the best as 'Masters of Sports.' It looked like a master versus someone still on the rise."
The timing of Madrimov’s comeback could not be better, as Murtazaliev is set to defend his title just a week later in a separate event promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in England.
"I've always maintained that we're here to take on big challenges and fight notable names. We aimed to face Bakhram right after Crawford, but [Serhii] Bohachuk was offered the fight, and Tim Tszyu opted not to step aside for Murtazaliev," Madrimov stated.
"That’s a fight I’ve always wanted because stylistically, it would be fantastic. For me, the focus remains on the titles. All the champions have commitments right now, but I’m willing to fight anyone – including the winner of the Bakhram-Kelly match. I hold immense respect for all champions. I would be honored to fight any of them."
