Joe Cordina Ambitious To Recover the IBF Title from Rakhimov and Unify
On April 22, junior lightweight Joe “The Wizard” Cordina (15-0, 9KO) will attempt to regain the title he never lost in the ring against newly crowned IBF champion Shavkatdzhon “Shere Khan” Rakhimov (17-0, 14KO). The Wizard is confident he’ll win the fight and, if victorious, wants to fight the other champions in the division.
Cordina never got a chance to defend the title after destroying then-IBF champion Kenichi Ogawa in two rounds in June 2022. He was on pace to fight Rakhimov but got sidelined by a hand injury, resulting in the IBF stripping him of the title.
Rakhimov went on to win the vacant title against replacement fighter Zelfa Barret on November 22. The IBF organization, prior to the fight, made it clear the winner would have to face Cordina next.
CORDINA WANTS UNIFICATION NEXT IF VICTORIOUS
During an interview with Seconds Out, Cordina had no problem repeating what he told the newly crowned champion that night.
“I told him I’ll fuck him up.”
In addition, Cordina expressed wanting to collect more belts to earn a bigger payday.
“I just want to unify. I want to get my belt back and get some of the belts and make some fucking serious money. I’ve got a long left in the sport, I’m nowhere near finished. But at the same time, I know time’s ticking and time’s getting on, and I need to make some big money.”
This should be a fan-friendly contest as both men like to come forward to press the action and fight at a fast-paced tempo. Cordina is a man on a mission and is determined to get back what he feels belongs to him. Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov is fighting in the United Kingdom for the first time and will be playing the role of spoiler.
