Joe Cordina is aiming to become a two-time world champion this weekend when he takes on IBF super-featherweight title holder Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in his home city of Cardiff.
‘Welsh Wizard’ Cordina picked up the IBF strap in stunning fashion last year but was stripped shortly after when an injury meant that he couldn’t defend against Rakhimov. Instead, the Tajikistani fighter claimed the vacant title for himself, beating Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett by knockout. Now these two will finally go head-to-head and we’ll get to see who deserves the belt more.
Here’s everything you need to know about a top night of boxing in Wales.
Where: Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, Wales
When: Saturday, 22 April, 2023
How To Watch: DAZN. The event is set to get underway at 7pm in the UK, with ringwalks for the main event scheduled for 10pm.
Tale Of The Tape:
Cordina
Place Of Birth: Cardiff, Wales
Age: 31
Alias: Welsh Wizard
Record: 15-0 (9)
Height: 5’9’’
Reach: 69’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: Cordina scored arguably the stoppage of the year in his last fight, obliterating Kenichi Ogawa with a one-punch KO in the second round to pick up the IBF super-featherweight bauble in spectacular fashion in Cardiff last June.
Rakhimov:
Place Of Birth: Bokhtar, Tajikistan
Age: 28
Alias: Shere Khan
Record: 17-0-1 (14)
Height: 5’8½’’
Reach: N/A
Stance: Southpaw
Last Fight: Rakhimov picked up the IBF strap Cordina was stripped of by stopping Zelfa Barrett in nine rounds in November at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
What They Say:
Cordina: “I saw Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi and he’s certainly a good fighter.
“I respect him, he’s strong and tough but you need to have more than that to beat me. I never lost my belt in the ring, so my mindset is that I’m going to be walking in as the champion and leaving as the champion. Last time out, the fans were unreal and I can’t wait to experience that incredible atmosphere again in Cardiff.”
Fight Card:
Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Joe Cordina, IBF super-flyweight world title
Gavin Gwynne vs Craig Woodruff, BBBofC British lightweight title
Zelfa Barrett vs Jason Sanchez, super-featherweight
Jordan Thompson vs Luke Watkins, IBF European cruiserweight title
Sandy Ryan vs Marie Pier Houle, vacant WBO world welterweight title
Skye Nicholson vs Linda Laura Lecca, featherweight
Sammy Lee vs Juris Zundovskis, light-heavyweight
Brandon Scott vs Karan Gill, super-bantamweight
Miles Gordon-Derby vs Phil Williams, heavyweight
Nathan Howells vs Jahfieus Faure, super-featherweight
Cordina: 4/11
Rakhimov: 23/10
Draw: 16/1
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
