Philippines, 12 Mar 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Former IBF Super Featherweight Champion Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov Returns to Make Sampson Boxing Promotional Debut Against Justin Pauldo

PhilBoxing.com





Saturday, February 8, at Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, TX

January 9, 2025 – Former IBF World Super Featherweight Champion Shavkatdzhon “Shere Khan” Rakhimov (17-1-1, 14 KOs) will return to the ring and make his debut fighting under the Sampson Boxing promotional banner when he faces four-time PROBOX TV alumnae Justin “The Million Dollar Man” Pauldo (17-2, 8 KOs) of Houston, via Orlando, FL., in a 10-round lightweight special attraction on Saturday, February 8, at Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, and streamed live on PROBOX TV.

Presented by Garry Jonas of Pro Box Promotions, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, and Alvino Valles of Texas Boxers and Brawlers Promotions, the night of world class boxing will also feature WBA #2, WBO #19, and Ring Magazine #9-ranked super bantamweight and hometown hero Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas (25-1, 14 KOs) of San Antonio taking on undefeated Bryan “Latino” Acosta (20-0, 8 KOs) of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, in the 10-round main event; and power-punching former WBC Latino and WBO Latino Super Middleweight Champion Lester Martinez (18-0, 15 KOs) of Guatemala City, Guatemala, facing also undefeated Joeshon “Shontime” James (9-0-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento in the 10-round super middleweight co-feature.

Rakhimov, originally of Bokhtar, Tajikistan, and now fighting out of Downey, California, won the IBF Super Featherweight Title with a spirited TKO 9 over Zelfa Barrett at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in November 2022. The 30-year-old southpaw will return to the ring in his first sanctioned appearance since losing his title in his first defense 22 months ago, via a close split decision to hometown challenger Joe Cordina of Cardiff, Wales, at the Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff.

“I am grateful to be returning to the ring for a new promotional company,” said Rakhimov. “My opponent a good, tough fighter, which deserves respect, but he is no match for me and my drive to return to the world championship.”

In his nine-year pro career, Rakhimov also fought to a majority 12-round draw with overweight then-IBF World Super Featherweight Champion Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz at Fantasy Springs Casino in February 2021 and held the IBF Junior Lightweight Championship from 2022 to 2023 and the IBO Super Featherweight Championship from 2017 to 2019.

“‘Shere Khan’ Rakhimov is back and looking to return to the top of the rankings where he belongs as soon as possible,” said new promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz. “We will put him in tough fights like these, which he needs to make a quick climb back to the top of the division for a world title challenge in the near future.”




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sanman Boxing Event Set as Fighters Successfully Make Weight in General Santos City
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Filipina Boxing Champions Norj Guro and Wenie Cline Verano Seek Guidance from Promoter Brico Santig for Career Advancement
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 10 March 2025: Lauren Price Outpoints Natasha Jonas to Unify IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC Welter Titles
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • A Pilgrimage of Gratitude: Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Bye Bye Dallas Mavericks - From Finalists to Also Run (Again)?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Justin Viloria's Star Continues to Rise
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • WBA Champion Eimantas Stanionis Settles in at Wild Card Gym in Preparation for Unification Showdown with Jaron “Boots” Ennis
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Irish light heavyweight prospect Thomas Myers Shipping Up To Boston to fight Saturday
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio rules rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Slo-Pitch Softball Team Bags Another Championship Title in Pangaea Cup Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Araw doubles netfest set March 14-17 at Flores
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Melvin Jerusalem Ready to Defend WBC Title Against Yudai Shigeoka in Anticipated Rematch
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Euri Cedeno Takes on Ulices Rivera This Friday Night at Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, PA and LIVE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Blue-chip super middleweight prospect Marco “El Tiburón” Romero to fight Closer to home this Friday in Denver
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • President Kremlev named Ekaterinburg potential host city for Beterbiev vs Bivol trilogy
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Fast-rising Lightweight Luis ‘Koreano’ Torres for His Impressive Victory Over Former Champ Nicholas Walters on Probox TV
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • Cuban fighters prepare for debut at IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš
    , Tue, 11 Mar 2025
  • World medallists begin campaigns successfully on day one at IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš
    , Mon, 10 Mar 2025
  • We'll Get to See Lakers, Warriors More in Coming Post-Season Playoffs
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 10 Mar 2025
  • Endar beats Trinidad by split decision to win PBF title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 10 Mar 2025
  • Paul Gyn: The Meteor That Never Reached Its Zenith
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 10 Mar 2025
  • WORLD CHAMPION NICOLSON CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AHEAD OF AUSTRALIAN HOMECOMING AGAINST ARCH-RIVAL BROWN
    , Mon, 10 Mar 2025
  • ABAP gets ready for battle
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 09 Mar 2025
  • IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships commences with a spectacular Opening Ceremony in Niš
    , Sun, 09 Mar 2025
  • TANK DAVIS-LAMONT ROACH CONTROVERSY: NYSAC UPHELDS MAJORITY DRAW DECISION
    , Sun, 09 Mar 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.