Regarded as one of world boxing’s blue chip prospects, Israil Madrimov is dreaming of a massive homecoming event in his native Uzbekistan.
This Saturday, 154-pounder Madrimov faces Eric Walker (20-2, 9 KOs) on the streets of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, in a Matchroom USA event, hoping an impressive performance will convince promoter Eddie Hearn to stage a blockbuster show in his homeland.
The ambitious Madrimov (5-0, 5 KOs) hopes to face the winner of the unification bout between IBF and WBA Super champion Jeison Rosario and WBC king Jermell Charlo later this year. With friend and countryman Murodjon ‘MJ’ Akhmadaliev already a unified champion at super-bantamweight, the star quality is certainly there for a historic promotion.
“There have been talks over doing an event in Uzbekistan with Eddie Hearn, and it’s easier to do now with MJ as a world champion, it would be a huge event,” said Madrimov. “Our people are crazy boxing fans and would fill up any venue in the country, we have support from the government, so I am sure that it would be a sold-out stadium success and people would remember it for years.
“MJ made history and we’re happy for him as our friend, brother and teammate, it’s unbelievable what he achieved, unified champion in eight fights – but I still have time to beat him!
“Right now, the focus is Eric on Saturday, not looking past that. As soon as business is taken care of, we move on and we want to fight the champion, whoever that is. Rosario and Charlo are fighting each other, whoever has the belts I’m ready to fight them.
“Every fight for me is very important. I started off with a title fight on debut and my last fight was an eliminator, so they are all important and they keep getting bigger. This is a final eliminator and that’s big for me because win this and the next fight should be for a world title, the champion cannot avoid me then. I don’t call people out, I just want to be in a position to fight for titles. I want to build my own legacy and history by becoming world champion and I want to break records.”