Shavkat Rakhimov versus Zelfa Barrett planned for vacant IBF title fight in Abu Dhabi

IBF orders Barrett to step in for injured champion Joe Cordina, with bout tipped to land at Etihad Arena on November 5

Zelfa Barrett celebrates with the European Super Featherweight belt after beating Faroukh Kourbanov in Cardiff in June. Reuters

No 2-ranked contender Zelfa Barrett is in line to take on Shavkat Rakhimov for the IBF super-featherweight title in Abu Dhabi next month, after champion Joe Cordina was stripped of the crown having sustained a serious hand injury.

The clash, which pits against one another the top two-ranked challengers at 130 lbs, is expected to form part of the November 5 card at Etihad Arena.

The event, the first in the recently signed partnership between the Department of Culture and Toursim – Abu Dhabi and Matchroom Boxing, is headlined by the WBA light-heavyweight title bout between champion Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

Cordina-Rakhimov was supposed to be one of three championship fights on the bill - WBC and IBF women’s junior welterweight title-holder Chantelle Cameron faces undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill in the other – however the unbeaten Welshman was forced to withdraw after sustaining a hand injury that requires surgery. As such, he relinquished his belt.

Reacting to Tuesday’s news that Cordina was out, Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said the IBF had now ordered England’s Barrett (28-1) to fight Rakhimov (16-0-1) instead, with the promoter trying to confirm the bout for Abu Dhabi.

“It’s a 50-50 fight,” Hearn told his Matchroom Boxing channel on Tuesday. “Rakhimov’s a very good fighter, a former world champion, who actually lost the championship himself not in the ring. And Zelfa Barrett is a guy who’s earned his right at a shot. He fought an IBF final eliminator against [Bruno] Tarimo.

“He’s ready to go. This is a massive opportunity for him in neutral territory, on a massive show, to go and change his life. The new fight: Rakhimov against Zelfa Barrett for the IBF world title.”

Hearn said Barrett has been in training given he was slated to fight next month anyway, but added that talks are continuing with all parties to book the Rakhimov bout in Abu Dhabi. He said an announcement will be made "in due course".

Hearn also confirmed Cordina (15-0) would be guaranteed the winner next year, once he returns from injury.

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  Undefeated light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, left, is putting his title on the line against Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez at Etihad Arena on November 5. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

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  Left to right: Dmitry Bivol, Eddie Hearn, Zurdo Ramirez, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Eric Gomez in front of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

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  Russia'a Dmitry Bivol with his WBA light heavyweight belt in Abu Dhabi.

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  Left to right: Dmitry Bivol, Eddie Hearn, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Zurdo Ramirez.

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  The press conference on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, for Dmitry Bivol v Gilberto Ramirez at the Etihad Arena.

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  Left to right: Eddie Hearn, Dmitry Bivol, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Zurdo Ramirez and Eric Gomez during the press conference.

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  Undefeated light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol with Eddie Hearn.

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  Left to right: Eddie Hearn, Dmitry Bivol, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Gilberto Ramirez, in front of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

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  Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Mexico's Zurdo Ramirez during the press conference.

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  Undefeated light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol.

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  Promoter Eddie Hearn during the press conference in Abu Dhabi.