“I just want to go out there and smash them.”
The battle cry that echoes from Israil Madrimov’s (4-0, 4KOs) tongue with ice-cool composure – a statement uttered with an assured sense of certainty. The standout prospect of 2019 has been straining at the leash from the very beginning, even pleading with promoter Eddie Hearn to give him a world title shot for his professional debut.
He’s had to wait marginally longer than he’d have liked, but a WBA title eliminator in only his 5th contest this weekend beckons, a quite remarkable feat in an era of padded records & promotional politics. The Uzbeks are coming. And they’re not here to mark time.
“The transition was easy for me… It has just been a matter of getting ready to fight for 10 or 12 rounds and getting prepared in terms of my conditioning. But it’s felt very comfortable. It is very very important to me that people enjoy what I do every time I step into the ring.”
Madrimov has been one of a number of fighters to make the long trip out into the desert heat of Indio, California, to link up with Joel Diaz’s stable of hungry young lions, joining the likes of reigning world champions Dmitry Bivol and MJ Akhmadaliev, and fellow Eastern promise, Batyr Akhmedov.
“As soon as I arrived it was like a homecoming. It was amazing. They made me feel very welcome and I knew from that first day that I wanted to train here.”
For Diaz, preparations have been forced to become more unorthodox than usual, owing to the brutal power this young light middleweight possesses.
“He’s sparring guys who are 168-175 lbs. We can’t bring in 154 lbs guys, he just smashes them out! Left hand, right hand, wherever he’s hitting you. On your body or even on your arms, his power is just phenomenal.”
Stylistically comparisons have been made with a certain Kazakh knockout artist, and whilst Madrimov clearly admires the ‘big drama show’ of Gennadiy Golovkin, he’s equally influenced by the finesse of other pound-for-pound masters.
“Golovkin is really great, the way he breaks down opponents. I really love him as a person as much as a fighter. But I also really like Lomachenko as an athlete. I’ve tried to do the same thing as him, competing in wrestling, judo, dancing, on the track. And then there’s Terence Crawford, the way he switches stance, his footwork.”
Flashes of his contemporary’s talents have been evident even in his short time as a professional. With an astonishing 330 amateur contests Madrimov has clearly honed an extraordinary skillset, as well as providing a springboard from which to enter into the professional ranks.
“I’ve used these first 4 fights to showcase what I can do. I’ve been criticised by some people for not using enough defence but it’s because I don’t need to use it against these guys. I just want to go out there and smash them. In sparring, with these guys who are 175lbs, I move differently. I know for a fact there will be a fight out there where I’ll need to showcase that side. But I can do everything.”
Diaz agrees, and says he has seen nothing to dissuade him from his conviction that ‘The Dream’ is the real deal.
“Well, we’re in the entertainment business. But he’s faced every style of fighter out there as an amateur. Since he’s been with us he’s matured, he shows a great attitude every single day in the gym. They all do. The Uzbeks are hard working people.”
Madrimov is rightly proud to be part of a production line of remarkably gifted young boxers from his homeland, moulded by Tulkin Kilichev as well as the head coach of a truly outstanding Uzbekistan boxing team (Marat Kurbanov) which seems certain to pick up more Olympic medals later this year.
“Having the same coach for the team all this time has meant that everyone develops with the same philosophy. As amateurs we probably have a more aggressive style… Perhaps there is something different about us. Our ancestors were warriors all their lives, fighting and riding on horseback. So we were always coached to never take a step back. Always go forward! Take the guy out!”
Victory against a huge underdog in Charlie Navarrothis weekend moves Madrimov to within touching distance of his first major objective, becoming a world champion. It feels, however, as if these honours are as much about baiting the best in his division into facing him as anything else.
Belts are one thing, but the thought of being involved in truly memorable fights is when Madrimov really begins to lick his lips.
“Lara is the best, the most skilled. He should be next, as mandatory, and I’m ready. I would love to fight on Golovkin’s next card for a world title. But I will fight whoever wants to take on the challenge.
“Right now I offer nothing but risk, but once I have the titles they will have to fight me. I would love to fight Kell Brook or Liam Smith in the UK. Great fighters, I love their style. I believe I will fight them both for sure one day.”
‘The Dream’ has arrived, and he’s here to entertain. Stopping him is going to be a nightmare.
Written by: Phil Rogers
Follow Phil on Twitter at: @SouthpawBoxNews