Home Bet on Boxing Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Joe Cordina – Big Fight Preview & Predictions

Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Joe Cordina – Big Fight Preview & Predictions

Rakhimov defends IBF title against Cordina in Cardiff on Saturday

Shavkatdzhon Rakhmiov defends his IBF super featherweight world title against Joe Cordina in Cardiff on Saturday, live on DAZN Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Shavkatdzhon Rakhmiov defends his IBF super featherweight world title against Joe Cordina in Cardiff on Saturday, live on DAZN Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Joe Cordina attempts to regain something he never lost in the ring this Saturday evening at the Cardiff International Arena, as he challenges for his old IBF super featherweight title against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov.

Matchroom promote Cordina vs Rakhimov and DAZN televise the card live.

Cordina (15-0, 9 KOs) was coming off a career-best performance in June last year, when he ruthlessly knocked out Kenichi Ogawa in two rounds to win the IBF world title, and the future looked bright for the Welshman.

However, as the IBF required Cordina to defend the title within a timeframe against their mandatory challenger Rakhimov, this proved impossible as the 31-year-old suffered a hand injury in the build-up to the contest, and had to withdraw, leaving the governing body to strip the Cardiff native as their champion.

Rakhimov (17-0-1, 14 KOs) is a real danger man, and he claimed the vacant title regardless, coming off the canvas in round three before stopping Zelfa Barrett in nine in Abu Dubai.

Cordina looks to regain the IBF belt he was stripped of shortly after beating Ogawa to win it last June Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Cordina looks to regain the IBF belt he was stripped of shortly after beating Ogawa to win it last June Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

The 28-year-old’s only blemish is a twelve round majority draw for the same IBF belt in February 2021 against Jo Jo Diaz.

Prediction: This is a really close to call match, with both possessing fight stopping power. I think if Cordina can weather an early onslaught from the unbeaten southpaw, I think he can take a points win.

Rakhimov won the belt with victory over Barrett in November Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Rakhimov won the belt with victory over Barrett in November Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Ryan challenges for world title

A second world title fight takes place on the undercard, with the vacant WBO welterweight title on the line. Derby’s Sandy Ryan takes on Canada’s Marie Pier Houle.

Ryan (5-1, 2 KOs) was touted for big things after turning professional following a successful amateur career, but was upset by Erica Anabella Farias in March last year, dropping a split decision.

To her credit, the 29-year-old won an immediate rematch, and was last out in November 2022, clearly outscoring Anahi Ester Sanchez.

Ryan looks to become world champion in just her seventh professional bout Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Ryan looks to become world champion in just her seventh professional bout Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Houle (8-0-1, 2 KOs) has never fought outside of Canada, or been past eight rounds.

The winner is in line for a crack at unified world champion, Jessica McCaskill, according to Eddie Hearn.

Prediction: Ryan should become the new champion with a wide points win.

Gwynne-Woodruff meet in rematch

Gavin Gwynne defends his British lightweight title for a second time, and he should get the better of Craig Woodruff (12-6-1, 4 KOs) this time, after the two Welshmen drew last September.

Prediction: Gwynne (15-2-1, 3 KOs) on points is the pick.

Gwynne and Woodruff run it back after their majority draw in September Photo Credit: Leigh Dawney/Wasserman Boxing
Gwynne and Woodruff run it back after their majority draw in September Photo Credit: Leigh Dawney/Wasserman Boxing
Barrett battles Sanchez

Zelfa Barrett is back in action after defeat to Rakhimov, and he was due to face Alex Dilmaghani, who had to withdraw due to injury.

Instead, he meets former world title challenger, Jason Sanchez over twelve at super featherweight.

Barrett looks to bounce back from defeat to Rakhimov Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Barrett looks to bounce back from defeat to Rakhimov Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Prediction: Sanchez (16-3, 9 KOs) has never been stopped, so Barrett (28-2, 16 KOs) will likely need the scorecards to claim victory.

Remaining Undercard

An intriguing clash at cruiserweight should see Jordan Thompson (14-0, 11 KOs) defend his IBF European cruiserweight title with a stoppage win against Luke Watkins (16-2, 11 KOs).

At featherweight, Skye Nicolson (6-0) should outscore former world champion, Linda Laura Lecca (15-6-2, 3 KOs) over eight, and in the sole six rounder, Sammy Lee (1-0) can do the same at light heavyweight against Juris Zundovskis (6-5, 5 KOs).

In four rounders, Brandon Scott (4-0, 1 KO) can halt Karan Gill (3-0, 1 KO) at super bantamweight, while at heavyweight, Miles Gordon-Darby (3-0) can halt Phil Williams (6-41-1, 1 KO) inside schedule.

Nathan Howells (5-0-1) should take a points win over Jahfieus Faure (1-12-1) at super featherweight.