Matchroom announced Joe Cordina (15-0, 9 KOs) will make the maiden defense of his IBF 130-pound title against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday November 5th, live on DAZN (excluding South Korea and MENA). Cordina vs. Rakhimov lands on the undercard of the huge light heavyweight title clash between undefeated rivals Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez. (Also announced for the show is a women's two-belt junior welterweight title fight between Chantelle Cameron and undisputed world welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill). Cordina, known as the ‘The Welsh Wizard’ captured the IBF belt with a one-punch knockout of Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff earlier this year in June to become the latest Welsh champion. Tajikistan’s Rakhimov (16-0-1, 13 KOs) challenged for the vacant IBF belt against an overweight Joseph Diaz at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio last year – pushing the American all the way in a majority draw.

 

Rakhimov was presented with a second opportunity to fight for the IBF title against Ogawa – but was forced to withdraw from the scheduled bout due to injury. The 27-year old is currently the highest ranked contender with the IBF. “I know it’s going to be a tough fight so I’m going to be prepared for twelve hard rounds,” said Cordina. “I know I’m going to have to bite down on my gumshield and dig my toes in. It’s going to get tough in there but I’m going to be prepared for that. Nothing has really changed since I won the world title back in June. My mentality is still the same, I still want to be the best in the world – I want to win more titles. I’ve reached my goal of becoming champion but now I’ve set new goals which include becoming a unified and undisputed champion.

 

“It’s great to be a part of the first show in Abu Dhabi. I’ve been a part of some big nights in boxing – the Joshua vs. Klitschko show in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium, Bramall Lane Stadium with Kell Brook against Errol Spence and two Joshua fights at the Principality Stadium. To be a part of another historic show is unbelievable and another one ticked off my list.”

 

“We have a huge night of World Championship boxing planned for Abu Dhabi on November 5th and Joe Cordina vs. Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov is the first addition to an all-action undercard,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The Welsh Wizard landed the IBF title with an epic one-punch knockout win in his home city earlier this year but that’s just the start of the journey for Welsh boxing’s latest star. Joe has ambitions of becoming undisputed at 130 pounds but first he needs to get past an incredibly tough first defence in the shape of IBF number one Rakhimov who has already challenged for the IBF crown.”