Madrimov was fighting for the first time in eleven months following shoulder surgery, consecutive losses, and reported health problems 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, mixed in body shots, and landed straight right hands often enough to keep Salazar from building sustained offense. Salazar stayed competitive early, landed occasional counters, and made the fight physical, but he was outworked over most of the first half.
As the rounds progressed, Madrimov began to pull away on activity and shot selection. He was slower than at his peak and showed signs of fatigue, yet his timing and power still separated him from Salazar. Salazar absorbed punishment, remained upright, and continued pressing, 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 found a higher gear and hurt Salazar badly with repeated right hands. Salazar was staggered and forced into survival mode, nearly going down more than once, but he managed to last to the final bell.
There were no knockdowns at any point, despite the heavy damage late. Madrimov finished swollen and visibly worn, but comfortably ahead on the cards.
The win improved Madrimov’s record to 11 2 1 and accomplished its basic purpose. He got rounds, showed he can still hurt a durable opponent, and came through intact. At the same time, the rust, fatigue, and punishment he absorbed made it clear this was a rebuilding night, not a return to form.
