SHAVKATDZHON Rakhimov suffered a damaging career defeat in San Antonio last night. As listless as Rakhimov’s performance turned out to be, opponent Justin Pauldo was excellent, displaying energy, aggression and the finishing touch in round eight.
Sporting a fine head hair, expected to turn things around under the stewardship of new handler Sampson Lewkowicz, it all started off badly for Rakhimov, who was tight on the scales and went down for a count in the first round as Pauldo landed a cuffing left hook that shoved the fight favourite to the canvas.
The one-sided pattern continued, and the commentary team grew increasingly concerned as early as the fifth round about how many shots the Tajikistan native was soaking up.
Pauldo’s consistency was on point all night. He found the left jab-right hand in round eight and kept going back to the well of success. Rakhimov copped a final flush shot that left him on his hands and knees and out.
Referee Mark Calo-oy called it off at 1-53 of the eighth as Rakhimov struggled to regain his senses. Statistics later showed that Pauldo landed 162 to 90 in power punches.
In the main event, Ramon Cardenas defeated Bryan Acosta over 10 rounds. Mexico’s Acosta lost for the first time as a pro. The three judges scored 95-94 twice and 97-92 in favour of the new WBA Continental America super-bantamweight champion.
Former PBC prospect Michael Angeletti has found a home at Pro Box, blasting away Judy ‘Stingray’ Flores in round three of their 10-rounder. Angeletti was cut to the left eye and shipped a couple of right hands before unleashing a scraping right hand to the body that sent plucky Flores packing.
Opening the televised portion of the card, Figo Ramirez defeated Jose Lopez over six rounds at bantamweight.
