EVERY British world champion carries of their bucket listing the dream of headlining in Las Vegas or at a famed venue like Madison Sq. Backyard.
Joe Cordina is one other. Profitable the IBF super-featherweight world title in April final yr in opposition to Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov was one other memorable night time for Welsh boxing. These contained in the Cardiff Worldwide Enviornment have been in full voice and carried their man by way of the storm Rakhimov introduced throughout the Combat of the 12 months contender.
Cordina, 17-0 (9 KOs) saved the most effective efficiency of his profession for his largest night time and was a deserving winner. However his second reign as champion hasn’t featured the kind of high-profile battle that might headline Stateside.
“I assumed it might be fairly straightforward [to fight in America] when you gained a world title nevertheless it’s not as straightforward as I assumed. It’s troublesome to get them within the ring,” he stated.
“They all the time need robust cash and a few of them overprice themselves. That’s all the way down to the promoters to guarantee that occurs however up till now we haven’t been ready to try this.”
Cordina spoke to Boxing Information within the warmth and humidity of one other Riyadh battle week. One other heavyweight attraction takes centre stage they usually don’t come a lot greater than the undisputed showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Sitting within the chief help slot is Cordina and Belfast’s Anthony ‘The Apache’ Cacace, 21-1-1 (7 Kos) who’s the second man, after Edward Vazquez, to attempt to take the title from Cordina.
Cacace isn’t the opponent Cordina is searching for to alter his household’s future. It is a main goal for the champion who desires to make sure that after he’s gone there will probably be no monetary worries for his associate and youngsters. Vazquez was one other who didn’t get the champion’s blood pumping and virtually paid the final word worth due to that and, as he admitted to BN, “made a few flawed selections which confirmed in my efficiency.”
So, what are his ideas on Cacace?
“I’ve watched him as a result of he boxed a secure mate of mine, Martin J Ward. Martin beat him, so I’ve saved a watch on him.
“He’s a superb fighter, technically good, good footwork, good, awkward [and] he’s somebody that I can’t take flippantly. I can’t go in there pondering that is going to be a walkover as a result of he hasn’t been within the on the high stage. He’s somebody who’s obtained the bit between his tooth and he desires to win a world title however he’s in the identical place as I’m. If we don’t win this battle what’s subsequent? My entire factor is securing my household’s future and he’s what’s in the way in which for me doing that. We’re each in the identical place.”
The super-featherweight scene will not be at the moment blessed with a plethora of expertise that might see Cordina’s title up in shiny lights on the Vegas strip. O’Shaquie Foster (WBC champion) and Lamont Roach (WBA) are gifted males however the Welshman must tempt them to the UK due to their lack of pulling energy throughout the pond.
In the meantime, Mexican favorite Emanuel Navarrete is transferring to light-weight for a shot on the vacant WBO strap on Saturday night time in San Diego in opposition to Denys Berinchyk.
Former champion Oscar Valdez obtained his mojo again in opposition to Liam Wilson and the WBO interim holder could possibly be promoted to full standing if his former foe stays at light-weight. However, regardless, Cordina is rising uninterested in listening to names and nothing materialising.
Then there’s the ‘home dust-up’ possibility of featherweights turned super-featherweights Leigh Wooden and Josh Warrington.
“They don’t actually enchantment to me but when the cash’s there, yeah. I’d quite battle for titles or massive names worldwide however so long as the cash’s there it’s not an issue.”
If Cordina is searching for massive names then his time at 130lbs could also be coming to an finish. The light-weight division is effervescent and if Navarette likes his new house then he joins Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Vasyl Lomachenko as title holders with a supporting solid of contenders that includes William Zepeda, Frank Martin, Arnold Barboza, Gary Cully, Keyshawn Davis, Raymond Muratalla and extra.
“If he [Stevenson] desires to battle I’ll battle him it’s not an issue,” Cordina stated of the undefeated American.
“I’ll battle anybody so long as the cash’s proper. That’s what it comes all the way down to on the finish of the day. I haven’t obtained the period of time that Shakur’s obtained left. I’m loads older than Shakur. For me now it’s to make as a lot cash as I can. If titles are there then take the titles in addition to the cash however he’s concentrating on titles, he desires to make historical past. I’ve achieved every little thing I’ve needed to realize aside from safe my household’s future.”
Cordina would additionally relish the chance of tackling Lomachenko who appeared again at his spellbinding greatest in opposition to George Kambosos Jr final weekend.
“I grew up watching him,” Cordina stated.
“All my footwork that I used to be doing… why I used to be so good within the amateurs is as a result of I used to be watching what he was doing. It’d be a large alternative for me. I’ve like to battle Lomachenko, share the ring with him. I wouldn’t share the ring and say, ‘Oh yeah, I’m in with Lomachenko.’
“I’m going to attempt to take his chin clear off however on the similar time he’s an unbelievable fighter, among the finest fighters to ever do it, he’ll go down as an all-time nice.”
