By Alexey Sukachev

According to several local sources, Alisher Rakhimov (23-0, 12 KOs), who can rightfully be named one of the best kept secrets in boxing, will have a chance to showcase his best on May 25 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

On this date, the 34-year old boxer-puncher from Uzbekistan will try to level up against former world title challenger Ji Hoon Kim (23-7, 18 KOs) from Korea in the main event of the show, which is planned to be aired live by the ESPN as part of their Friday Night Fights installments. Rakhimov’s WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title will reportedly be at risk.

WBO #2 and IBF #13 ranked Rakhimov is coming off a sensational knockout against previously unbeaten Thai charge Saddam Kietyongyuth in December 2011 (on the very same card where Roman Simakov tragically passed after his fight against Sergey Kovalev). He is an extremely skillful and well-schooled operator who was also a member of the Uzbek 2000 Sydney Olympic Team and advanced to the quarterfinals before being closely defeated by Russian Raimkul Malakhbekov.

Ji Hoon Kim is nine years his younger but no less experienced. He has victories over Koba Gogoladze, Ameth Diaz, Yakubu Amidu and some others but lost in his most important contests (both in 2010) to Miguel Vazquez and Lenny Zappavigna. He is well-known for his reckless but very entertaining style of brawling.