A loss in the squared circle can be sad for a boxer, but it also allows them to make a massive comeback. Former WBA super welterweight champion Israil Madrimov seems to have found that opportunity, as reports have revealed who the Uzbek boxer may fight next. And guess what? This fight will be part of one of the biggest spectacles of the year. 

If the chatter holds true, the 2018 Asian Games gold medalist is expected to feature on the undercard of the highly anticipated Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch, set for December 21st at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That said, the only question left unanswered is, who the 29-year-old would fight next? 

Next fight for Israil Madrimov: A quest for redemption

According to a post from Jalol Akhmedov, a sports journalist for Uzbekistan’s sports[dot]uz, Madrimov will potentially lock horns with former WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk. In a post, Akhmedov revealed, “The negotiation for Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk fight has begun.”

It’s worth noting that Madrimov is coming off a unanimous decision loss to former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford when they fought earlier this year in Crawford’s debut in the super welterweight division. Despite the loss, Madrimov showcased pure boxing brilliance and pushed ‘Bud’ to his limits, with many claiming Madrimov had done enough.

On the other hand, Bohachuk also suffered a somewhat similar fate when he went toe-to-toe against Vergil Ortiz Jr. last month. Despite dropping Ortiz Jr. in multiple rounds, the judges thought Ortiz had done enough to secure a win via majority decision. While the logical thing for both seemed like a rematch against their original foes, even this matchup doesn’t seem that bad given their action-packed performances during their last outing. 

Regardless, Akhmedov continued, “Fight is expected to be targeted for December 21st on the Usyk-Fury undercard.” Bohachuk fighting Madrimov might be news to many, but Bohachuk’s promoter saw this coming. 

Tom Loeffler claims His Excellency thought Serhii Bohachuk had won

Bohachuk might not have been able to convince the judges about his win, but Tom Loeffler, Bohachuk’s promoter, is convinced about his win. Interestingly, as he revealed in an interview with Boxing Scene, Loeffler claimed even His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who was in the venue, thought Bohachuk had done enough.

“It was great that Alalshikh was there in person to see how great of a performance Serhii put on. He also said that he thought Serhii won that fight, or at worst, it should have been a draw,” said Loeffler. Even back then, Loeffler had seen Bohachuk’s feature in a Riyadh Season card coming. “He came up to us after the fight and said that he wanted Serhii on a future show by the end of this year. It could definitely be on the December 21 show in Saudi Arabia,” he added hopefully. 

That being said, Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk have a prime opportunity to stage a major comeback on the undercard of one of boxing’s biggest events this year. Does this fight seem like an exciting fight to be added to the card?