Thread: Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov v Joe Cordina 22/4/23

i like the billing for this, retain or regain

Really pleased this fight is happening. It should be his first defence really, but hey ho. Little bit harsh that he got stripped of the title because of injury, especially since they’re fighting now anyway.
Still , 2 sides to it I suppose. Just happy that Cordina has the chance to get back his title. Don’t know much about Rakhimov, but it looks like a really good matchup worthy of a World Title fight.
Hope Cordina wins.

Joe Cordina has been given his wish of a home fight with Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov as he bids to win back the world title he lost without being beaten.

Unbeaten Cordina, 31, was crowned IBF super-featherweight champion in June 2022 but was controversially stripped of the belt because of injury.

With Cordina unable to make a defence, mandatory challenger Rakhimov claimed the vacant title last November.

Cordina will face Rakhimov on 22 April at Cardiff's International Arena.

That is the venue where Cordina became Wales' 12th world champion boxer when he produced a stunning second-round stoppage of Kenichi Ogawa.

The Cardiff fighter had been due to face Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi last November in what would have been his first title defence.

But he suffered a broken hand which required surgery and his inability to fight within a 90-day window saw the IBF rule he should stand down as champion.

Cordina told BBC Sport Wales he struggled to understand that decision and that it left him contemplating his future in the sport.

But he said he had "an extra point to prove" as he targeted a bout with Tajikistan's Rakhimov, who became champion when he beat Manchester's Zelfa Barrett.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/64545362

Originally Posted by Primo Carnera

Really pleased this fight is happening. It should be his first defence really, but hey ho. Little bit harsh that he got stripped of the title because of injury, especially since they’re fighting now anyway.
Still , 2 sides to it I suppose. Just happy that Cordina has the chance to get back his title. Don’t know much about Rakhimov, but it looks like a really good matchup worthy of a World Title fight.
Hope Cordina wins.

shavkatdzhon was dropped in the third round of his last fight with zelfa barrett before coming on to end the fight in the nineth. he also fought to a draw with joseph 'jojo' diaz who missed weight for that fight. joe cordina is coming of his injury & surgery. it is a really good match up, i think joe can end it before the halfway mark, if he doesn't he might be in for a battle down the stretch

good fight