Joe Cordina Explained

Joe Cordina
Weight:
Height:5 ft 9 in
Reach:69 in
Birth Date:1 December 1991[1]
Birth Place:Cardiff, Wales
Style:Orthodox
Total:18
Wins:17
Ko:9
Losses:1

Joe Cordina (born 1 December 1991) is a Welsh-Maltese professional boxer. He is a two-time super-featherweight world champion, having held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title from April 2023 untilMay 2024 and previously in 2022. At regional level, he held the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles between 2018 and 2019. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and gold at the 2015 European Championships, both in the lightweight division. He also represented Great Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Early life

Cordina is of Maltese heritage.[2]

Amateur career

At the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, he lost in the first round of the lightweight event to Eugen Burhard of Germany by a score of 7–13.[2] In 2012, Cordina won a bronze medal at the European Under-22 Boxing Championships held in Russia. He defeated German boxer Artur Bril in his quarterfinal bout before losing 13–12 to Russian Maksim Shmiglev in the semi-finals.[3] He was eliminated from the 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships after losing his first bout in the lightweight event to Lázaro Álvarez of Cuba.[2] At the 2012 European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament, he was eliminated after his bout against David Joyce of Ireland was stopped in the third round.[2] [4]

He represented Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland. Competing in the men's lightweight division, he defeated Pat McCormack of England in the first round,[5] then Canada's David Gauthier in the round of 16.[6] In the quarterfinals he defeated Chad Milnes of New Zealand, guaranteeing himself at least a bronze medal.[7] He lost his semi-final to Scotland's Charlie Flynn by a split judge's decision and was eliminated from the tournament, to finish with a bronze medal.[8]

Cordina won the lightweight gold medal at the 2015 European Amateur Boxing Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria, beating Otan Eranosyan of Georgia in the final. He was the only British boxer to win a gold medal at the event. At the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships held in Doha, Qatar, he reached the quarterfinals of the lightweight division by beating Kwon Chol-guk of North Korea in the round of 16,[9] but was then eliminated after losing to Robson Conceição of Brazil.[10] [11]

He boxed at the 2016 European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament in Samsun, Turkey. He secured qualification for the lightweight event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by beating David Joyce, who had eliminated him from the 2012 Olympic qualification tournament, in the semi-finals.[4] [12] [13]

Professional career

Early career

Cordina made his professional debut as a super-featherweight on 22 April 2017 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, scoring a fourth-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over José Aguilar in a scheduled four round contest.[14] Cordina next faced Sergej Vib on 29 April 2017, on the Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko undercard. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Cordina faced Josh Thorne on 27 May 2017, in his third professional bout. He won it by a first-round stoppage, as Thorne retired at the end of the opening round.[15] Cordina faced Jamie Speight on 1 September 2017, and extended his winning streak to four fights.[16] Cordina faced Lester Cantillano on 28 October 2017 on the Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam undercard. He won the fight on points, which was the first decision victory of his professional career.[17] Cordina faced Lee Connelly on 13 December 2017, in his final fight of the year. He won the fight by a fourth-round technical knockout.[18]

Cordina was booked to face Hakim Ben Ali for the vacant WBA International lightweight title on 31 March 2018, on the Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker undercard.[19] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[20]

British and Commonwealth champion

Cordina vs. Dodd

Cordina made his first regional title defense against Sean Dodd on 4 August 2018, in a fight which was simultaneously a bout for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title as well.[21] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 117–112, 119–109 and 120–109.[22]

Cordina vs. Townend

Cordina faced Andy Townend on 20 April 2019 in his first Commonwealth title defense. The vacant British lightweight title was on the line as well.[23] He won the fight by a sixth-round technical knockout.[24]

Cordina vs. Gwynne

Cordina made the first defense of the British and Commonwealth titles on 31 August 2019.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–110, 116–111 and 116–110.[26]

Rise up the ranks

Cordina was scheduled to fight Enrique Tinoco for the vacant WBA Continental super-featherweight title on 30 November 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 98–92 in his favor, while the third judge scored it 96–94 for him.[27]

Cordina faced Faroukh Kourbanov on 20 March 2021, following a 16-month absence from the sport. He won the fight by a close majority decision, with scores of 96–95, 96–96 and 98–93.[28]

Cordina next faced Joshuah Hernandez on 14 August 2021.[29] He won the fight by a first-round knockout, stopping Hernandez after just 53 seconds.[30]

Cordina made his first WBA Continental title defense against Miko Khatchatryan on 11 December 2021, over two years after he had won it. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 98–92 for him, while the third judge scored it 100–90 in his favor.[31]

IBF super-featherweight champion

Cordina vs. Ogawa

Cordina KO'd Kenichi Ogawa in the second round to become the IBF super featherweight champion on 4 June 2022, at the Motorpoint Arena in Cordina's native Cardiff, Wales.[32]

Cordina was next scheduled to defend his belt against Shavkat Rakhimov on 5 November, 2022. Due to a hand injury, Cordina had to pull out of the fight and was subsequently stripped of his IBF belt.[33]

Cordina vs. Cacace

On May 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Cordina lost his IBF super featherweight title via eighth-round TKO against Anthony Cacace.[34] [35]

Cordina vs. Stevenson

Cordina is scheduled to challenge WBC lightweight World champion Shakur Stevenson at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 12 October 2024.[36] [37]

Personal life

In 2015, Cordina had a daughter.[38]

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
18Loss17–1Anthony CacaceTKO8 (12), 18 May 2024
17Win17–0Edward VazquezMD124 Nov 2023
16Win16–0Shavkat Rakhimov1222 Apr 2023
15Win15–0Kenichi OgawaKO2 (12), 4 Jun 2022
14Win14–0Miko KhatchatryanUD1011 Dec 2021
13Win13–0Joshuah Hernandez1 (10), 14 Aug 2021
12Win12–0Faroukh Kourbanov1020 Mar 2021
11Win11–0Enrique TinocoUD1030 Nov 2019
10Win10–0Gavin GwynneUD1231 Aug 2019
9Win9–0Andy Townend TKO6 (12), 20 Apr 2019
8Win8–0Sean Dodd124 Aug 2018
7Win7–0Hakim Ben AliTKO3 (10), 31 Mar 2018
6Win6–0Lee ConnellyTKO4 (8), 13 Dec 2017
5Win5–0Lester Cantillano 428 Oct 2017
4Win4–0Jamie Speight TKO1 (6), 1 Sep 2017
3Win3–0Josh Thorne1 (4), 27 May 2017
2Win2–0Sergej VibTKO1 (4), 29 Apr 2017
1Win1–0Jose Aguilar 4 (4), 22 Apr 2017

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Glasgow 2014 - Joseph Cordina Profile . g2014results.thecgf.com . 19 August 2022 . 19 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819173136/http://g2014results.thecgf.com/athlete/boxing/1033920/j_cordina.html . dead .
  2. Web site: 60KG – Joseph Cordina . . 5 June 2016.
  3. News: Boxing: Joe Cordina claims European bronze . 5 June 2016 . Wales Online . 19 December 2012.
  4. Web site: Joe Cordina qualifies for 2016 Rio Olympics! . 15 April 2016 . Boxing Wales . 5 June 2016.
  5. News: Lewis . Ron . Joe Cordina lifts Welsh spirits with victory over Pat McCormack . The Times . UK . 26 July 2014 . 5 June 2016.
  6. News: Selby . Andrew . Commonwealth Games 2014: Boxer Joe Cordina powers his way into quarter-finals . 5 June 2016 . Wales Online . 27 July 2014.
  7. News: Penman . Andrew . Medal in the bag, but Joe Cordina wants gold . 5 June 2016 . Telegraph & Argus . 29 July 2014.
  8. News: Penman . Andrew . Joe Cordina beaten as Welsh boxers have to settle for bronze . 5 June 2016 . South Wales Argus . 1 August 2014.
  9. News: Grifiths . Gareth . Welsh boxer Joe Cordina moves into World Championships quarter-final . 5 June 2016 . Wales Online . 9 October 2015.
  10. News: Boxing World Championships: Joe Joyce into semi-finals but trio lose . 5 June 2016 . BBC Sport . 10 October 2014.
  11. News: Griffiths . Gareth . Welsh boxer Joe Cordina bows out in World Championships quarter-finals . 5 June 2016 . Wales Online . 12 October 2015.
  12. News: Joe Cordina: Olympic qualification 'means everything' . 5 June 2016 . BBC Sport . 15 April 2016.
  13. News: Olympic boxing: Nicola Adams among eight British qualifiers for Rio 2016 . 5 June 2016 . BBC Sport . 15 April 2016.
  14. Web site: Joe Cordina: Welsh boxer beats Jose Aguilar on pro boxing debut . bbc.com . 31 January 2022 . 22 April 2017.
  15. Web site: Welsh boxer Joe Cordina wins third professional bout in Sheffield . bbc.com . 31 January 2022 . 28 May 2017.
  16. Web site: Horan . Matt . NXTGEN: Joe Cordina extends his perfect unbeaten record with a stoppage victory over Jamie Speight . skysports.com . 31 January 2022 . 1 September 2017.
  17. Web site: Rathborn . Jack . Domin . Martin . Anthony Joshua beats Carlos Takam in controversial 10th round stoppage to retain WBA (Super) and IBF world heavyweight titles . mirror.co.uk . 31 January 2022 . 29 October 2017.
  18. Web site: Taylor vs McCaskill: Joe Cordina stops Lee Connelly in four rounds at York Hall . skysports.com . 31 January 2022 . 13 December 2017.
  19. Web site: Foster . Elliot . Joe Cordina To Face Hakim Ben Ali On Joshua-Parker . boxingscene.com . 31 January 2022 . 26 March 2018.
  20. Web site: Southcombe . Matthew . Classy Joe Cordina clinches first professional title after straightforward victory in his hometown . walesonline.co.uk . 31 January 2022 . 31 March 2018.
  21. Web site: British Boxing News . Joe Cordina clashes with Sean 'Masher' Dodd for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title . britishboxingnews.co.uk . 31 January 2022 . 23 June 2018.
  22. Web site: Horan . Matt . Cordina vs Dodd: Joe Cordina cruises to Commonwealth title win over Sean Dodd . skysports.com . 31 January 2022 . 5 August 2018.
  23. Web site: Press Release . Joe Cordina is looking to impress when he fights Andy Townend . ringnews24.com . 31 January 2022 . 2 April 2019.
  24. Web site: Christ . Scott . Allen vs Browne results: Joe Cordina dominates and stops Andy Townend . badlefthook.com . 31 January 2022 . 20 April 2019.
  25. Web site: Random Hits . Joe Cordina Very Motivated To Do a Job on Gavin Gwynne . boxingscene.com . 31 January 2022 . 30 August 2019.
  26. Web site: Joe Cordina defeats Gavin Gwynne on points to keep titles . bbc.com . 31 January 2022 . 31 August 2019.
  27. Web site: Joe Cordina Outclasses Mario Enrique Tinoco In Monte Carlo . boxingwales.com . 31 January 2022 . 30 November 2019.
  28. Web site: Collins . Jack . Joe Cordina overcomes Faroukh Kourbanov on his return after 16 months out of the ring . skysports.com . 31 January 2022 . 21 March 2021.
  29. Web site: Pearlman . Michael . Joe Cordina: Welsh boxer looking to make up for lost time . bbc.com . 31 January 2022 . 12 August 2021.
  30. Web site: Joe Cordina defeats Hernandez to extend unbeaten record . bbc.com . 31 January 2022 . 14 August 2021.
  31. Web site: Joe Cordina defeats Miko Khatchatryan for the WBA Continental Title . boxen247.com . 31 January 2022 . 12 December 2021.
  32. Web site: 尾川堅一、6月に初の防衛戦 IBFスーパーフェザー級 . nikkei.com . 4 May 2022 . 4 May 2022.
  33. Web site: Christ . Scott . 2022-10-04 . Joe Cordina out of Nov. 5 title defense, stripped by IBF . 2022-11-07 . Bad Left Hook . en.
  34. News: Iskenderov . Parviz . Anthony Cacace TKO's Joe Cordina in eighth round to become new champion . FIGHTMAG . 18 May 2024.
  35. News: Anthony Cacace shocks, drops and stops Joe Cordina to win IBF super-featherweight title . Sky Sports . en.
  36. Web site: Cordina, Chapman and Massey to fight for world titles. BBC Sport. 21 August 2024.
  37. Web site: Shakur Stevenson-Joe Cordina, six other fights announced for Beterbiev-Bivol undercard. Boxing Scene. 21 August 2024.
  38. News: Griffiths . Gareth . Boxing superstar Joe Cordina celebrating European gold, just a month after becoming a father for the first time . 5 June 2016 . Wales Online . 17 August 2015.