Luis David Salazar vs Israil Madrimov Preview Jan. 24th, 2026
Israil Madrimov of Uzbekistan takes on Luis David Salazar in a 10-round junior middleweight bout this Saturday, January 24th. The fight takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada and can be seen live on DAZN in most nations. Madrimov last fought in February when he dropped a 12-round unanimous decision to Vergil Ortiz Jr. in a shot at the WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Title. It was his second straight defeat as he also lost a close unanimous decision to Terence Crawford six months earlier in an attempt at the WBO Interim Junior Middleweight Crown. Those are the only defeats on Madrimov’s pro record. Salazar was last in action in April when he stopped Angel Apolinar Elena Perez in the second round.
Salazar vs Madrimov Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Luis David Salazar +1800
- Israil Madrimov -10000
My Pick
Madrimov is a 30-year-old who boxes out of Indio, California and makes the ring walk with a mark of 10-2-1 with 7 Ko’s and has quite a bit of power in his arsenal as 70 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage. However five of his past eight fights have gone the distance and he’s lost the last two. He also had a three-round technical draw with Michael Soro in July, 2022 when Soro’s eye was cut badly from an accidental clash of heads.
Madrimov made his pro debut in 2018 and has 98 rounds of experience under his belt. He won the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Super Welterweight Title in his second pro outing with a second-round stoppage of Frank Rojas and has also beaten Vladimir Hernandez, Norberto Gonzalez, Alejandro Barrera, Charlie Navarro, Eric Walker, Emmany Kalombo and Michael Soro in their first meeting. Madrimov stands just over 5-feet-8-inches tall with a 68.5-inch reach so isn’t very big for the 154 lb division by any stretch of the imagination.
He enjoyed a fine amateur career and captured a silver medal in the welterweight division at the 2014 Asian Games and a gold medal as a middleweight at the 2018 Asian Games. He also took gold at the 2017 Asian Championships and silver at the 2011 Junior World Championships and 2013 Asian Youth Championships. Madrimov won the 2013 and 2016 Uzbekistan National Championships and took silver in 2014 and also competed in the World Series of Boxing as an amateur.
The 32-year-old Salazar owns an impressive record of 20-1 with 7 Ko’s. He turned pro in 2016 and has boxed 111 rounds since. As an amateur, he reached the final of the 2015 Independence Cup and finished with the silver medal as a lightweight. Salazar competed in several Continental and American Confederation Championships and faced boxers such as Elvis Rodriguez, Starling Castillo, Genaro Gamez, Robson Conceicao, Kenneth Sims Jr. and Felix Verdejo.
He actually faced stiffer opposition as an amateur than he has as a pro and his lone pro defeat came at the hands of Kevin Johnson by way of an eighth-round knockout in May, 2021. Salazar stands 5-feet-9-inches tall but unfortunately there’s no reach information for him. As far as power is concerned, he doesn’t really have heavy hands as just 35 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage. However, he has stopped four of his past five opponents. His biggest wins have been against David Martinez, Kenin Betancourt, Juan Cordones and Juan Medina.
Prediction…
Madrimov possesses power and fine boxing skills but is coming off of left knee and shoulder surgery. Salazar lacks power and will be taking a big step up in class against Madrimov and it’s just his second fight outside of his homeland and most of his career has been fought in lower weight divisions. Madrimov didn’t let his hands go nearly enough in his loss to Crawford but appeared to learn his lesson as he threw more leather in his defeat to Vergil Ortiz. This could start out as a bit of a chess match if Madrimov doesn’t want to open up but as long as his body has healed from the surgeries I’m expecting him to win this fight with a stoppage being a possibility. However, the -10000 odds seem a little too wide for this fight.
Madrimov has better skills and more power.
Play Madrimov -325 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Israil Madrimov betting • Luis Davis Salazar betting