Where the hell did he come from? (spoiler alert: Tajikistan) Seriously, though, I've managed to never have this kid show up as even a blip on my radar (I see that @CST80, @f1ght3rz and @Somachenko have all been hip to him for a couple of years, though) - the only boxer I was familiar with bearing that surname being Uzbek lightweight Alisher Rakhimov - but he is somehow ranked WBC #4, IBF #5, BoxRec #2, Ring Magazine #9, and TBRB #6 at 130lbs. He was also the IBO super featherweight champion for eighteen months, with three successful defenses before vacating, but that org is so lightly regarded that nobody should be a household name on that basis alone. Glancing at his record, his best results appear to be knocking out Pinoy fellow southpaw Rogelio Claro "Hercules" Doliguez Jr. (never stopped before or since), veteran & former 2-time IBF champ Malcolm Klassen (never stopped before, once since), and Mexican super-journeyman Robinson Castellanos. All well and fine, but I don't see how all of that should translate into being ranked as highly as he is, when there are worthier super feathers out there with superior bodies of work. He was a pretty good, but not great amateur - dominating the domestic Tajik scene but failing to reach the medal stages at the world championships, or to qualify for the Olympics. Pretty clear to see why, judging from his pro style. He prioritizes body shots, wears horse blinders when he gets into an offensive rhythm and pays no mind to defending himself on the way in, doesn't really throw in combination, and sacrifices throw-away jabs like pawns to set up single heavily-loaded up power blows - all of which is going to put a hard ceiling on your amateur successes. For that matter, it'll probably be an inhibitor professional as well, albeit to a lesser extent. He'll entertain and maybe grab a belt (unfortunately for him the current easiest option in his division is Jamel Herring, but he is unrated by the WBO...and he isn't beating Farmer or Berchelt, the champs he's best positioned to challenge int he future) but I don't see him ever becoming elite. This content is protected His best & worst qualities are on display in the fight with Rofhiwa Maemu from last March. ^
The Shaved Cat vs. Fuzile This content is protected vs. Robinson Castellanos This content is protected vs. Malcolm Klassen This content is protected He's flawed, sometimes sloppy, could improve a lot of things, but the man is a beast even as is. Easily based purely on putting on exciting matches, he's one of the best fighters coming out of any of the former Soviet Republic. He'll probably be violently KO'd sooner or later, but who cares, he's an action fighter, he'll probably bounce back countless signs.
