RESULTS: JOE CORDINA DROPS & DECISIONS SHAVKAT RAKHIMOV, REGAINS JR. LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

By: Jay Calderon‍

On Saturday at the Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales, and live on DAZN, undefeated Joe Cordina  put in the fight of his young career, dropping and ultimately decisioning previously-undefeated Shavkat Rakhimov, regaining the 130 pound title.

The opening round saw both settling into the contest well, with both looking to set up their right hands. In the second, Cordina managed to drop Rakhimov with a beautiful shot on the inside. While Rakhimov beat the count, Cordina finished the frame strong.

In the third, Cordina was sharp, and was sharp-shooting on the inside in between the rushes and bursts of activity for Rakhimov. However, in the fourth, Rakhimov was beginning to overwhelm the Welshman momentarily.

The fifth was a tremendous round that saw both men have their moments. Rakhimov hurt Cordina with a lunging shot and the betting favorite had to survive for the next 60 seconds. However, by the end of the 3 minutes, Cordina was the one that sent Rakhimov back to his corner on unsteady legs.

A cut was opened up around the left eye of Rakhimov, which was ruled by a punch. And it was a big target in the sixth and seventh frames for Cordina, who moved well and landed the more telling blows.

In the eighth, it was more of the same with Cordina moving and boxing well, landing counter shots and walking Rakhimov into bigger blows. Still, Shavkat was lively and keeping Cordina honest.

In the ninth, Cordina was jabbing and still looking sharp. A straight right hand seemed to stun Rakhimov momentarily, and Joe finished the frame with a solid combination.

Rakhimov came out well in the tenth, pressuring and landing some good work in the process. However, Cordina steps in after a break in the action and lands some explosive combinations. In the final minute, Rakhimov pushed Cordina back and landed some solid body blows that scored well.

In the eleventh frame, Cordina looked to settle things down, jabbing and moving laterally a bit more. The right hand of Cordina mixed in with his footwork was on full display for Cordina heading into the final contest.

Rakhimov was coming forward in the twelfth, using pressure to push Cordina back and work his pressure. In response, Cordina created some distance, landed to the body and then shot home some big right hands. Down the stretch, Cordina was picking his shots well and signified that he believed he did enough to regain his gold.

While one judge had it 116-111 in favor of Rakhimov, they were overruled by tallies of 115-112, and 114-113 in favor of Joe Cordina. JOB had it much wider at 117-110 in favor of Cordina.

OTHER RESULTS:

Sandy Ryan def. Marie Pier Houle, 10UD (Wins Vacant WBO Welterweight Title)

Gavin Gwynn def. Craig Woodruff, 5 (Retained British Lightweight Title)

Zelfa Barrett def. Jason Sanchez, 12UD (Jr. Lightweight)

- RESULTS

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