Rakhimov Faces Pauldo in San Antonio Return

Former IBF World Super Featherweight Champion Shavkatdzhon “Shere Khan” Rakhimov (17-1-1, 14 KOs) is set to make his debut under the Sampson Boxing banner on Saturday, February 8, when he faces four-time PROBOX TV alum Justin “The Million Dollar Man” Pauldo (17-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight special attraction. The event will take place at Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, and will be streamed live on PROBOX TV.

Presented by Garry Jonas of Pro Box Promotions, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, and Alvino Valles of Texas Boxers and Brawlers Promotions, the event will also feature a stacked undercard. San Antonio’s own WBA #2, WBO #19, and Ring Magazine #9-ranked super bantamweight Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas (25-1, 14 KOs) will square off against undefeated Bryan “Latino” Acosta (20-0, 8 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Additionally, former WBC Latino and WBO Latino Super Middleweight Champion Lester Martinez (18-0, 15 KOs) of Guatemala City will take on undefeated Joeshon “Shontime” James (9-0-2, 5 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight co-feature.

Rakhimov, originally from Bokhtar, Tajikistan, and now fighting out of Downey, California, captured the IBF Super Featherweight Title in November 2022 with a TKO win over Zelfa Barrett. However, he lost the title in his first defense to Joe Cordina in a close split decision in June 2023. This upcoming fight will be Rakhimov’s first appearance since the loss, as he looks to rebuild and regain his world title aspirations.

“I’m excited to be returning with a new promotional team,” said Rakhimov. “Pauldo is a tough fighter, but I believe my drive and skill will lead me to victory and back to the world championship.”

Throughout his career, Rakhimov has also fought to a majority draw with former champion Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz in 2021 and held the IBF Junior Lightweight Championship from 2022 to 2023, as well as the IBO Super Featherweight title from 2017 to 2019.

Sampson Lewkowicz, Rakhimov’s new promoter, is confident that the fighter will quickly climb back into title contention. "‘Shere Khan’ is back and ready to prove he belongs at the top," Lewkowicz said. "We’ll be putting him in tough fights like this to get him back on track for a world title shot."