Salim Salimov

Salim Salimov began his international boxing career with the Bulgarian national team in 1998. Two years later Salimov won silver in the light flyweight at the 2000 Junior World Championships in Budapest. His breakout year came in 2004 when he won bronze in the same weight class at the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Pula, Croatia. The tournament served as the qualification pathway for the Athina Olympics, with Salimov representing Bulgaria at the Games. Despite his earlier success, however, he lost his opening bout to Suban Pannon (THA) by decision.

Salimov then won multiple medals at the EU Championships, including gold in the light flyweight in 2004, along with another gold in 2006, this time in the flyweight. After failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics he turned professional, winning his first two fights. These turned out to be his only wins, however, with him losing his next eight bouts before retiring in 2011. Salimov was only 43-years-old when he died in October 2025 from cancer.