Eddie Hearn Confirms Rakhimov vs Cordina To Be Announced As Part Of Bumper Schedule
Eddie Hearn told Boxing Social that Tajikistan’s Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (17-0-1, 14 KOs) will defend his IBF super featherweight world title against former champion, Wales’ Joe Cordina (15-0, 9 KOs) in April at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales live on DAZN.
Cordina was supposed to defend his championship against Rakhimov in November of last year but he unfortunately injured his right hand whilst in training camp and was stripped of his title by the IBF in a hasty move due to the prolonging of mandatory deadlines.
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Rakhimov instead fought Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett for the vacant championship on the condition that whoever won must face Cordina in their first defence. Despite Barrett winning the early rounds and putting on an impressive showing, Rakhimov prevailed in the end via stoppage.
As the Motorpoint Arena booked out for April 8 and 15, the fight must be on April 1, 22 or 29 with the latter two of those dates probably more likely.
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