Madrimov was fighting for the first time in eleven months after shoulder surgery, back-to-back losses, and reported health issues that included pneumonia. The goal was rounds and ring time, and that was largely how the fight played out.
From the opening rounds, Madrimov controlled the pace with technical boxing and measured pressure. He worked behind the jab, mixing in body shots and landing enough straight right hands to keep Salazar from building sustained offense. Salazar remained competitive early, taking down the occasional takedown and making the fight physical, but he was outworked for most of the first half.
As the rounds progressed, Madrimov began to pull away with activity and shot selection. He was slower than at his peak and showing signs of fatigue, yet his timing and strength still separated him from Salazar. Salazar absorbed punishment, stayed upright and continued to press, even finding moments to land clean right hands that caused swelling around Madrimov’s left eye.
The fight came alive in the tenth round. Madrimov finally got into a higher gear and hurt Salazar badly with repeated right hands. Confused and forced into survival mode, Salazar almost went down more than once, but he managed to hang on until the final bell.
There was no let-up at any point, despite the heavy damage late on. Madrimov finished swollen and visibly worn, but comfortably ahead of the charts.
The victory improved Madrimov’s record to 11 2 1 and achieved his basic goal. He got rounds, showed he could still hurt a durable opponent, and came through unscathed. At the same time, the rust, fatigue and punishment he absorbed made it clear that this was a rebuilding night, not a return to form.
