Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Justin Pauldo Preview February 8th, 2025
Former IBF Super Featherweight Champion Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov of Tajikistan takes on Justin Pauldo of Orlando, Florida this Saturday, Feb. 8th. The 10-round lightweight bout from San Antonio, Texas can be seen live on ProBox. Rakhimov hasn’t fought since April, 2023 when he dropped a controversial split decision to Joe Cordina in Cordina’s hometown of Cardiff Wales to lose his title and lone fight as a pro. He had won the vacant belt five months earlier by stopping Zelfa Barrett in the ninth round. Pauldo last saw action a year ago when he was beaten by Miguel Madueno via a 10-round split decision.
Rakhimov vs Pauldo Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Justin Pauldo +190
- Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov -240
My Pick
Rakhimov, a southpaw, enters the contest with an impressive record of 17-1-1 with 14 Ko’s. The 29-year-old turned pro in 2015 and has 103 rounds under his belt at the moment. He fights out of Los Angeles, California, stands just over 5-feet-8-inches tall and unfortunately has an unlisted reach. Rakhimov was a three time Tajikistan amateur champion from 2013 to 2015 and boxed at the 2013 AIBA World Championships where he went 2-1 as a light welterweight.
He’s fought mainly in Russia since turning pro but many North American fans may remember seeing him for the first time in his February, 2021 battle with Joseph Diaz in Indio, California, which ended in a 12-round majority draw for the vacant IBF Super Featherweight Title. Rakhimov then won the still-vacant title later the next year with his KO win over Zelfa Barrett in Abu Dhabi. Rakhimov certainly has some power in his punches as 82.4 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage, but he’s gone the distance in two of his past four fights.
He’s also been on the canvas himself a couple of times in his pro career. Rakhimov also won the vacant IBO Super Featherweight Title in 2017 when he beat Emanuel Lopez by unanimous decision and defended it three times against Malcolm Klassen, Robinson Castellanos and Rofhiwa Maemu all by stoppage in the 8th, 2nd and 4th round respectively. He also has wins over Azinga Fuzile and Jimmy Paypa.
The 30-year-old Pauldo fights out of Houston, Texas and makes the ring walk with a mark of 17-2 with 8 Ko’s. He’s boxed 89 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014 following his amateur career. He measures 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 72 inch reach so gives up 1.5-inches in height to Rakhimov. Pauldo doesn’t possess much in the way of power as just 47.1 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he’s halted two of his past seven opponents.
The first defeat on Pauldo’s record came at the hands of Efrain Cruz by way of a six-round split decision back in 2015. His other loss was the split decision defeat to Madueno in his last outing, which was a span of 13 fights and nine years. Pauldo has a solid chin but hasn’t faced any legitimate contenders with his best wins coming against Jerry Perez, Josec Ruiz and Joshua Zuniga. He was stopped in three rounds by Austin Delay in 2019 but the result was changed to a no-contest.
Prediction…
Rakhimov has fine skills and power but hasn’t fought in nearly two years so will likely have some ring rust and Pauldo hasn’t fought in a year. Rakhimov has far more experience against top-level opposition while Pauldo is taking a step up in class. Rakhimov doesn’t own the greatest chin in the division as he’s been dropped at least five times in his career including once each in his last two fights. However Pauldo lacks explosive power. I’m expecting Rakhimov to put his experience and power to use here and come out of a good fight with another win.
Rakhimov’s power and experience could be the difference.
Play Rakhimov -240 @ BetOnline.ag
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Justin Pauldo betting • Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov betting