There’s a huge night of World Championship boxing awaiting at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.
The heavyweights, or more precisely Super-Featherweights, are about to go face-to-face.
On 5 November, Zelfa Barrett is up against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov for the vacant IBF Super-Featherweight World Title at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The match will be live for subscribers worldwide on DAZN (excluding South Korea and MENA).
Initially, Joe Cordina was set to make the first defence of his IBF World Title on the stacked undercard of Dmitry Bivol’s WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title clash with Mexico’s Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez. But the Welshman suffered a hand injury that required surgery and was subsequently stripped of his title by the IBF.
Manchester’s Barrett (28-1, 16 KOs) is ranked at No.2 with the IBF and is next in line to fight for the famous red and gold belt against the IBF’s No.1 ranked Super-Featherweight Rakhimov (16-0-1, 13 KOs). The latter gets a second opportunity to fight for the 130lbs crown following his draw with an overweight Joseph Diaz last year.
‘Brown Flash’ lands his dream World Title shot after a string of impressive wins that have pushed the 29-year-old up the world rankings, including a shutout points win over South Africa’s Bruno Tarimo in their World Title eliminator bout last December.
Olympic gold medal star Galal Yafai (2-0, 2 KOs) will defend his WBC International Flyweight Title against Mexico’s Gohan Rodriguez Garcia (12-1-1, 1 KO). The pair were originally slated to meet on the now postponed Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn undercard in London but will lock horns a month later on the historic ‘Champion Series’ event.
Kal Yafai (26-1, 15 KOs), older brother of Galal, fights for the first time since losing his WBA Super-Flyweight World Title to modern great Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez at The Ford Center at The Star, Frisco back in February 2020.
Hyde Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton (8-0, 2 KOs), son of British boxing legend Ricky, goes for his fourth win of 2022 after notching wins over Joe Ducker at The O2 in February, Ezequiel Gregores at Manchester Arena in April and most recently Michal Dufek at Sheffield Arena in August.
Oldham Super-Featherweight Aqib Fiaz (9-0) fights outside of the UK for the first time as a pro when he meets Spain’s Diego Valtierra (6-5-2, 2 KOs) over 8 rounds, plus there’s action for Dubai Super-Featherweight Fahad Al Bloushi (10-1, 2 KOs) and undefeated UAE Super-Flyweight Sultan Al Nuaimi (8-0).
With a line-up this great, the excitement’s probably going to take a minute to hit!
For tickets, visit www.etihadarena.ae.
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