Israil Madrimov has never been scheduled for fewer than 10 rounds for any fight in his young career, though has not needed any more than six.

He needed all 12 in order to pick up his latest victory.

The former amateur standout from Uzbekistan was forced to go the distance for the first time in his two-year career. It was well worth it in taking a competitive but clear decision win over Eric Walker in their title eliminator in their DAZN-USA livestream chief support Saturday evening from a makeshift outdoor venue in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Judge Karen Holderfield scored the contest 116-111, while judges Jesse Reyes and David Sutherland each had it 116-110 in favor of Madrimov

Madrimov went to work from the opening bell, not requiring a feel-‘em out round as he pressed forward while switching back and forth between conventional and southpaw stance. The 25-year old Uzbek—who trains out Indio, California—proved effective from both sides, landing in combination including a straight right hand which Walker managed to ride out after sliding back his head just enough to avoid an early night.

Walker made his presence felt midway through round two. The 37-year old from Plaquemine, Louisiana avoided a left hand to connect with a straight right which buzzed Madrimov. Two-way action continued throughout the balance of the round, with Walker landing another right hand in the closing seconds.

Round three saw Madrimov throw in combination, though unsuccessful in his effort to cut off the ring. Walker firmly planted his feet, inviting in Madrimov who found himself overshooting his right hook and having to constantly pivot back into position. Walker was sent to the canvas late in the round as Madrimov landed a left hand though after Walker tripped over his foot with the sequence accurately ruled a slip.  

Madrimov controlled the action in a slowed-down round four, with Walker struggling to keep pace for the first time in the fight. Walker was once again sent to the canvas by means other than a punch, as he was inadvertently pushed, Madrimov regained his composure, spending most of the rest of the round landing punishing body shots.

Head trainer Joel Diaz was pleased with Madrimov’s commitment to the body, urging his charge to continue the attack in round five while also mixing in hooks upstairs. Madrimov obliged, dialing up the punishment as fatigue clearly began to set in for Walker after enjoying a strong start.

Madrimov had Walker briefly stunned early in round six, connecting with a left hand to the chin. The unbeaten contender went to move in for the finish, only for both fighters to stumble to the canvas. Madrimov returned to the body, landing right hooks and left hands downstairs. Walker returned the favor, shooting straight rights to the midsection to momentarily stall Madrimov’s offense.

Walker found his second wind in round seven, a frame which represented uncharted territory for Madrimov after having been six rounds three times but never beyond that through five pro fights. Madrimov’s unfamiliarity coupled with the humid Tulsa air saw fatigue set in, struggling to find his rhythm in rounds seven and eight as Walker punched his way back into the fight.

It would take a massive break and a botched call—however thoroughly explained by the referee—to permit him to continue.

Madrimov came alive in round nine, landing punishing shots upstairs while not pardoning the body. A left hook by Madrimov rocked Walker, falling to the canvas soon thereafter. Madrimov’s momentum carried into Walker, his shoulder catching his opponent’s midsection on his way to the deck.

Ritter failed to rule a knockdown, explaining that the punch was clean but that his shoulder and forward body momentum called the fall. The broadcast team and home viewers vehemently disagreed, as Walker took nearly the full allotted five minutes to recover from what should have been a knockout.

Had Walker been unable to continue, the fight would have gone to the scorecards. To his credit, Walker opted to solider on but never again able to seize momentum.

Madrimov found new life even after being cheated out of a knockout win. The unbeaten contender dominated the action once the rounds hit double digits, repeatedly landing with right hooks to the chin and left hands to the body in rounds ten and eleven.

Not leaving anything to chance, Madrimov sought to close the show in the 12th and final round. A relentless assault from the reborn junior middleweight had Walker in bad shape, though provided a brief rest after being floored by a low blow. Madrimov was deducted a point for the infraction, though making up for it seconds later as a right hand sent Walker to the canvas for the bout’s lone official knockdown.

Walker made it to his feet and eventually to the bell, though coming up short in the end as he falls to 20-3 (9KOs). It was a spirited effort from the veteran boxer and Season Five “The Contender” contestant, who threw nearly 200 more punches than his opponent but was far less effective at 127-of-703 (18%) on the night.

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. An economical attack saw Madrimov land 198-of-508 (39%) according to CompuBox numbers.

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

The expectation from his team—which includes no-nonsense manager Vadim Kornilov—is to challenge for a belt in the near future. 

Headlining the five-fight telecast, long-reigning undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Brækhus (36-0, 9KOs) defends her crown versus unified junior welterweight titlist Jessica McCaskill (8-2, 3KOs) who moves up in weight.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox