Israil Madrimov defeats Eric Walker in a tough fight

Israil Madrimov was tested for the first time in his pro career, but went the distance for the first time in his career, winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Eric Walker, ringtv.com reports.

With the victory, Madrimov (6-0, 5 knockouts), 25, earned a mandatory shot at the WBA junior middleweight title.

Judges David Southerland and Jesse Reyes scored it 116-110 and Karen Holderfield had it 116-111, all for Madrimov, who remained unbeaten in six pro bouts.

Both fighters wasted no time feeling one another out. Walker came out firing and got Madrimov’s attention with a right hand. The rest of the round was closely contested, but Madrimov landed a big right late.

Madrimov hurt Walker with a right cross in the sixth round. He pounded his opponent with hard lefts and rights until they tripped over one another and Madrimov tackled Walker, nearly forcing him out of the ring.

The ninth round took a controversial turn. Madrimov seemingly knocked out Walker in the ninth round with a massive overhand left, but referee Gary Ritter did not count it because he deemed that Madrimov pushed him down with his shoulder. According to instant replay, that did not take place. Nonetheless, Walker survived after being allocated five minutes to recover.

Madrimov drops Walker, but the referee rules no knockdown.

Agree? pic.twitter.com/swiyR3xKNa

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) August 16, 2020

In the 11th round of their title eliminator, it was all Madrimov, who did all he could to knock Walker out.

It was all guts in the 12th round. Madrimov dropped Walker for his first official knockdown with a right hand. Then both men poured it all on the line to the finish.

Israil Madrimov improves to 6-0 and celebrates with a backflip 🔄 pic.twitter.com/ZWQlA3LwaN

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) August 16, 2020

According to Compubox, Madrimov landed 198 of 508 blows (39 percent) and Walker connected on 127 of 704 punches (18 percent).

It should be noted that Madrimov improves to 6-0 (5KOs) and is now a mandatory challenger for one of the many World Boxing Association (WBA) titles in the junior middleweight division.

“The fight was tougher than I expected,” Madrimov admitted afterward. “I was trying too hard to go for the knockout which I thought I had in the ninth round. It was a good learning experience.”