Joe Cordina’s career at world title level could not have got off to a better start.
The unbeaten Welsh super-featherweight worked his way up through the ranks after competing for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
By 2022, Cordina was 14-0 and ready to challenge for a belt.
He took the IBF route and his opponent was experienced Japanese world champion Kenichi Ogawa.
Prior to the bout, it was expected that Cordina would face a tough night.
His promoter Eddie Hearn secured the rights to stage the fight in his man’s hometown of Cardiff to give him every possible advantage.
After just two rounds though, Cordina proved he did not need any leg-ups.
One single right hand laid Ogawa out cold, crowning Cordina as the new IBF super-featherweight king.
Welsh boxing legend and former two-weight world champion Joe Calzaghe was watching from ringside and couldn’t have been happier to see the result.
“Best right hand ever!” he said in reaction.
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“I knew Joe was going to take over Cardiff now. I’ve done my bit now. Joey Cordina, f***ing fantastic, brilliant.”
Cordina’s gymmate Conor Benn was also ringside and revealed he thought Cordina may score an early finish despite being somewhat lost for words after watching the brutal knockout seconds prior.
“I said this, didn’t I? I said it could be an early stoppage,” he reacted, “Mate, I don’t even know what to say. I’m absolutely over the moon for him,” Benn beamed.
Cordina was unfortunate after this fight as he was stripped of the belt for not facing his mandatory while injured.
However, he’s since regained his crown this year and now stands as a two-time world champion ahead of his defence vs Edward Vazquez on Saturday night.
