IBF Jr. Lightweight Title Vacated


On May 3, 2022, the IBF sent notification to Matchroom Boxing and Team Rakhimov acknowledging that an agreement had been reached for IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion Kenichi Ogawa to participate in an optional defense of the title against Joseph Cordina on June 4, 2022, after the IBF denied an Exception request to do so. The IBF sanctioned the Ogawa vs. Cordina bout with the following pertinent conditions:


1. The IBF will not sanction any bouts to further delay the mandatory defense of the IBF Jr. Lightweight title including requests for unification bouts, nor will the IBF grant any further Exception requests.

2. The winner of the June 4, 2022, bout must make a mandatory defense of the IBF Jr. Lightweight title against Shavkat Rakhimov within 90 days or by September 2, 2022.


On July 7, 2022, the IBF granted Joseph Cordina a medical extension allowing the fight to be rescheduled for November 5, 2022, in the UAE.

On September 21, 2022, the IBF received an email from Matchroom Boxing stating:

“Unfortunately, Joseph Cordina has sustained an injury in training and will be forced to postpone his mandatory defence of the IBF World Super Featherweight Title against Shavkat Rakhimov, which was scheduled for November 5 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.”


In a letter dated September 21, 2022, Consultant Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon Mike Hayton wrote that Joseph Cordina’s “Return to boxing will be no sooner than 4 months post-surgery.” Based on Dr. Hayton’s letter, Joseph Cordina would not return to boxing until approximately March of 2023. Joseph Cordina’s 60-day medical extension for this injury will expire on January 4, 2023, which is prior to the date of Mr. Cordina's estimated return to boxing. To postpone the Cordina vs. Rakhimov bout any further, Mr. Cordina would need to seek and be granted an Exception pursuant to IBF Rule 11. However, one the conditions of the May 3, 2022, IBF communication stated that the IBF will not grant any further Exception request. Additionally, Rule 11 J states in part:


“A reigning Champion shall not be permitted to request more than one Exception to delay a mandatory obligation”.

The IBF has declared the IBF Jr. Lightweight title vacant as a result.