SHAVKATDZHON Rakhimov will return to action in San Antonio, Texas, on February 8. Pro Box TV televise the 10-round headliner against Justin Pauldo.
The former IBF super-featherweight champion will compete for the first time under the Sampson Boxing banner. Originally from Tajikistan, Rakhimov is now based in California and seeking to get his career back on track following losses to Joe Cordina and Eduardo Nunez.
The Cordina loss came in April 2023 on away turf in Cardiff. Rakhimov was floored, cut and lost his title by split decision that evening. The Nunez stoppage loss in February 2024 was a bizarre anomaly as it took place under the banner of the IBA and doesn’t count as an official loss in some quarters.
‘Sugar’ Nunez went on to become mandatory challenger to IBF champion Anthony Cacace, while Rakhimov, 17-1-1 (14 KOs), was left treading water. After hooking up with Sampson Lewkowicz, he now has a fresh start, beginning on February 8 against Pauldo.
Known as ‘The Million Dollar Man’, Pauldo, 17-2 (8 KOs), has delivered a couple of dollar store performances since his 2014 debut. To be fair, an early career loss in the learning stages can be excused. His most recent fight ended in a split decision defeat to contender Miguel Madueno, which is not bad form either. The glaring spectre of inactivity hovers around this contest. Both men will have been absent from the ring for almost a year by the time fight night rolls around.
“I am grateful to be returning to the ring for a new promotional company,” said Rakhimov. “My opponent is a good, tough fighter, which deserves respect, but he is no match for me and my drive to return to the world championship.”
New promoter Lewkowicz added: “Rakhimov is back and looking to return to the top of the rankings where he belongs as soon as possible.
“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.”
