SCHEDULE: GERVONTA DAVIS BATTLES RYAN GARCIA; SHAVKAT RAKHIMOV TAKES ON JOE CORDINA & MORE

By: Jay Calderon‍

On Saturday at the Cardiff International a Arena in Cardiff, Wales, and live on DAZN, Jr. Lightweight titlist Shavkat Rakhimov will take on former world titlist Joe Cordina.

Rakhimov, 17-0-1 with 14 stoppages, currently possesses the gold Cordina never lost in the ring. The belt was made Vacant when Cordina suffered an injury and was unable to defend the strap on due time (according to the IBF anyway).

As a result, Rakhimov most recently faced and ultimately stopped Zelfa Barrett for the vacant gold. Back in November of last year, Rakhimov stopped Barrett in the ninth to secure the title.

Cordina is also unbeaten as a professional, having amassed a record of 15-0 with 9KOs. And because boxing is a sport that loves confusing people, Cordina also won the IBF 130 pound title in his last contest. As mentioned, Cordina captured the gold in his last outing, a one round knockout job over then-titlist Kenichi Ogawa back in June of last year.

In the co-featured bout of the evening, former world title challenger Zelfa Barrett will take on Jason Sanchez in Jr. Lightweight action.

Back in November, Barrett, 28-2 with 16KOs, came up short in his title winning bid against the aforementioned Rakhimov, getting stopped in the ninth round of action. Barrett's most recent win is a decision over Faroukh Kourbanov back in June.

Sanchez, 16-3 with 9 stoppages, last fought in February, stopping Rafael Reyes in the third round of action.

OTHER FIGHTS:

Sandy Ryan vs. Marie Pier Houle (Vacant WBO Welterweight Title)

Gavin Gwynne (c) vs. Craig Woodruff (British Lightweight Title)

Also on Saturday, Lightweight stars Gervonta Davis and Ryna Garcia will battle it out at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and live on pay-per-view at a Catchweight of 136 pounds.

Davis, 28-0 with 26KOs, comes into the bout having stopped nine of his last ten opponents. Most recently, Davis was in the ring back in January, having stopped previously-undefeated Hector Garcia in the ninth frame.

Garcia last fought in July of 2022, easily dispatching of Javier Fortuna in the sixth round. With the win Garcia improved to 23-0 with 19KOs, and he has stopped seven of his last ten.

In the co-featured bout of the evening, undefeated Super Middleweight David Morrell will defend a fringe portion of the 168 pound title against Yamaguchi Falcao.

Morrell has been perfect as a pro, compiling a record of 8-0 with 7 stoppages to date. Most recently, Morrell stopped Aidos Yerbossynuly in the final round of their fight back in November.

Falcao, 24-1-1 with 10KOs, has gone nine straight without a loss since his sole defeat as a professional. In December, Falcao stopped Ernest Amuzu in the seventh.

OTHER FIGHTS:
Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Gabe Rosado (Super Middleweight)

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