Joe Cordina became the thirteenth world champion from Wales and propelled himself into a future fight with much-heralded American Shakur Stevenson after a stunning second round knockout of the year contender against Kenichi Ogawa to claim the IBF super-featherweight title in Cardiff.
Cordina, 30, the former GB Rio Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist stretched his undefeated run to fifteen fights with the victory over Japan’s Ogawa, coming in as the underdog and expected to have to outbox the experienced champion. Yet, after a testing first round, Cordina produced a hellacious right hand to end the night in dramatic fashion in front of his delirious hometown fans and hand Ogawa a second defeat on his 30-fight resume.
Cordina recently moved down to the 130lbs division from lightweight, taken under astute Essex-based trainer Tony Sims. Cordina had told The Daily Telegraph last week that he “was making lightweight so easily, it seemed the right choice.” It was an inspired decision.
Cordina recently moved down to the 130lbs division from lightweight, taken under astute Essex-based trainer Tony Sims. Cordina had told The Daily Telegraph last week that he “was making lightweight so easily, it seemed the right choice.” It was an inspired decision.
Cordina’s victory was immediately praised on Twitter by Stevenson, who holds the WBC and WBO titles at 130 lbs and is widely viewed as the division’s No 1 fighter. “Told y’all he the best fighter @130 [lbs] from England…I would love to come to England for some smoke tho champ, congrats,” wrote 24-year-old Stevenson, the Rio Olympics silver medallist who lost in the final to Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez, now undefeated in eighteen contests. Cordina told Telegraph Sport last week that Stevenson, a fighter he has long admired, is the top target on an ambitious hitlist. “He’s one of the very best, I’m a fan,. but I want the biggest challenges,” Cordina enthused.
Promoter Bob Arum, who has overseen Stevenson’s rise, has mooted that the next target for the American could be WBA titleholder Roger Gutierrez but Cordina’s stunning performance may influence a new move, especially given that Gutierrez is expected to meet mandatory challenger Hector Garcia on July 10.
Cordina, nonetheless, was quick to respond to Stevenson. “Respect bro. Enjoy my break and we’ll talk soon for sure.” Stevenson accepted the challenge as he added “Yesssir best fight at 130 is us champ,” before Cordina wrote: “100%”.
The contest may have one stumbling block, after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed post-fight in Cardiff that the mandatory challenger for the IBF crown – Shavkat Rakhimov – had been paid step-aside money to allow the Welshman to challenge Ogowa. It is therefore likely that Cordina may have to face Tajikistani in a defence before Hearn and Arum negotiate a unification contest in the UK or USA.
Elsewhere, American Devin Haney produced a masterclass in Melbourne, Australia to become the undisputed lightweight champion of the world by defeating George Kambosos Jr in front of 41,000 fans at the Marvel Stadium, commanding the range and the momentum of the bout behind a brilliant jab, elusive movement, and smothering the counter punching style of the Australian when at close quarters by tying up his foe. Haney added Kambosos Jr’s IBF, WBO and WBA belts to his WBC crown, claiming victory on points 116-112 twice and 118-110 on the judges’ cards. There is an option for a rematch, but Haney proved he is conclusively the better boxer.