Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov TKO9 Zelfa Barrett...  In Abu Dhabi, Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov won the vacant IBF 130-pound title after the IBF stripped Joe Cordina for having hand surgery. Rakhimov defeated Zelfa Barrett by ninth-round technical knockout. The new champ is from Tajikistan and boasts a pro record of 16-0-1 with the draw coming in a prior IBF title shot vs. Joseph "JoJo" Diaz last year.  Barrett was doing well in the fight as a whole, even knocking Rakhimov down with a huge uppercut early in the contest. But according to DAZN, something happened in the ninth round and Barrett's leg appeared to be injured. It looked like Barrett couldn't put full weight on his right leg, and Rakhimov took advantage with a flurry of hard shots to knock Barrett down twice. At the point the fight was stopped, the referee did not administer a count, although Barrett's corner was ready to throw in the towel. The British Barrett is now 28-2.

 

Former champ Cordina was at ringside and said he wanted to face Rakhimov "as soon as I am ready. Believe you me, when I get him, I hurt him. He’s finished.”

 

On the undercard, John Lawrence Ordonio of the Phillippines hands Majid Al Naqbi the first defeat of his career 40-36 (twice) and 39-37.