Photos: Joe Cordina Drops Rakhimov, Fights Through Fire To Reclaim IBF Title

Cardiff International Arena - In a battle for the IBF super featherweight world championship, Joe Cordina (16-0, 9 KOs) became a two-time champion in a very close fight, when he edged Shavkat Rakhimov (17-1-1, 14 KOs) with a twelve round split decision.

The scores were 116-111 for Rakhimov, 115-112 for Cordina, and 114-113 for Cordina.

Cordina was scheduled to make the first defense of his world title against Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi last November but suffered a hand injury that required surgery and was subsequently stripped of his title by the IBF. 

Rakhimov would stop Zelfa Barrett to capture the vacant belt.

The fast hands of Cordina were scoring in the first round. Rakhimov was digging to the body and looking to slow Cordina down. 

In the second, Cordina's fast hands were landing better and finding the target, but Rakhimov was also landing and connecting well. A big left hand sent Rakhimov down. Rakhimov beat the count and came firing back with solid punches on Cordina for the final twenty seconds.

The third saw Rakhimov come out firing to Cordina's body. It was a give and take round, with both throwing a lot of punches at close range. Cordina's hand speed was still the difference. In the fourth, both boxers were showing damage on their faces. Rakhimov was mostly going to the body and doing solid work, while Cordina was moving and boxing and shooting off quick punches.

Rakhimov continued to press forward with heavy body shots in the fifth, while throwing quick punches in bunches to the head. Cordina was moving and boxing. Rakhimov hurt Cordina with a big right hand and was working him over. Cordina managed to weather the storm and threw a bunch of punches in return at the close. During the sixth, it was back and forth warfare. The left eye of Rakhimov was cut. 

In the seventh, Cordina was connecting early with sharp punches. The left eye of Rakhimov was swelling up and closing. Cordina was connecting often with sharp punches. The eight saw Cordina in control. Rakhimov was missing his head shots and not really going to the body as often. 

The ninth had Rakhimov pressing and going after Cordina, who was moving and outboxing him for the most part. They were trading heavy punches in the closing moments with both landing. Rakhimov came out firing at the start of the tenth and was taking the fight to Cordina. Rakhimov seemed to rock Cordina against the ropes with a series of punches.

During the eleventh, Rakhimov continued to press forward and target the body. It was back and forth action with both having moments of success. The twelfth and final round saw Rakhimov landing the better shots and pressing forward in the first half. Cordina was moving around the ring and looking to counter was Rakhimov was walking inside. Rakhimov finished the fight with a solid combination.