Two-time former IBF super-featherweight title owner Joe Cordina states it would be «incredible» to achieve the status of a two-weight world champion.
Cordina made his comeback after a 14-month hiatus with a closely contested points victory over Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz in July, securing the vacant WBO global lightweight title.
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The match signified his return to the 135lb division, where he previously captured both British and Commonwealth titles early in his journey.
The Welsh fighter will face Gabriel Flores Jr on Saturday, 13 December in a contest promoted as a final eliminator for the WBO lightweight world title, recently claimed by Abdullah Mason in a thrilling battle against Sam Noakes in November.
The 34-year-old mentioned that he would be astonished if his fight in Stockton, California goes the full distance.
«I don’t expect it to last 12 rounds, but I’ve been mistaken before,» Cordina remarked.
«I thought I was going the distance with a fighter before and ended up knocking him out, as was the case when I first won the world title [against Kenichi Ogawa].
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«I anticipated a long night, and knocked him out in just two rounds.»
Cordina, set to make his US debut, acknowledges that fight expectations can sometimes turn the other way.
«I’ve also entered fights believing I could dispatch my opponent quickly and ended up having a tough night, so I plan to focus on everything we’ve practiced in the gym and I’m confident I’ll get the job done,» he said.
«I’m not focused on the eliminator for a world title; the opponent standing in front of me is my challenge for the evening and that will be my priority, aiming to execute effectively.»
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Cordina holds an impressive professional record of 18 victories and one loss, with his sole defeat coming against Anthony Cacace in May 2024.
His 25-year-old rival has a professional tally of 27 wins and two losses.
The two will co-headline an event alongside undefeated fighters Diego Pacheco and Kevin Lele Sadjo, who are set to clash for the WBC silver & WBO international super middleweight titles.
«I’m just aiming to get there, complete the task at hand, and return home to celebrate a wonderful Christmas with my family, as I prepare to push forward into the next year,» Cordina expressed.
Hometown inspiration
Joe Cordina trains with Gary Lockett at the Llanrumney Phoenix Boxing Club [BBC Sport]
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The ring’s canvas at the gym is the very one on which he scored a spectacular second-round knockout over Ogawa in 2022.
«I had no idea they still had that canvas until I walked into the gym,» remarked the fighter from Cardiff.
«I would have loved to have the chance to purchase it, perhaps to display it in a gym I eventually own and manage, but they have it now, and I’m grateful to be training here.»
Cordina notes that training with the other fighters at the gym also serves as great motivation.
«For me, coming into this gym, witnessing that canvas and being surrounded by my peers, it’s uplifting to know they’re training alongside a world champion,» he noted.
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«Liam Williams, a world title challenger, is also in the gym, as well as Rhys Edwards, who is set to challenge for a British title shortly.
«Then there’s Ben Crocker, who has also achieved an IBF European title, so we have a robust little team here.»
As he approaches the later stages of his career, Cordina expresses that everyone has varying aspirations in their boxing journey.
«My aim was to secure a world title,» the seasoned fighter shared with BBC Sport Wales.
«Boxing is a demanding sport, and reaching a British title is not easy, let alone a world title.
«Luckily, I had a solid amateur background that gave me an advantage turning professional. I dedicated myself in the amateurs to achieve my objectives.»
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Cordina captured a European title in 2015 and participated in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games before turning professional.
«I established realistic targets and achieved each one as an amateur before setting new ones as a professional, but the main goal was consistently to win a world title,» he stated.
«I recognize that to reach that level, I had to accomplish the smaller interim titles such as British, Commonwealth, WBA, and international and intercontinental titles, before finally aiming for a world title.»
Drawing inspiration from Ricky Burns
Ricky Burns secured world titles across three different weight classes [Getty Images]
Cordina also honored his former stablemate and housemate Ricky Burns – whom the Welsh fighter aspires to emulate by winning championships across multiple weight divisions.
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The two were trained by Tony Sims and cohabitated in Essex during Cordina’s entry into the professional ranks in 2017.
Scotland’s Burns claimed world titles in the super-featherweight, lightweight, and super-lightweight categories throughout his career.
«I gained a wealth of knowledge from him, likely more than from anyone else in boxing,» Cordina stated, «Observing how he lives, his training habits.
«Thanks to sparring with him, living alongside him, and training at his intensity, I fought a 12-round match in my sixth professional fight.
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«There aren’t many like him, so for me to achieve the feat of becoming a two-weight, three-time world champion, it would indeed be monumental.»
