Joe Cordina

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Joe Cordina, a prominent professional boxer from Cardiff, Wales, began his journey in the sport with a stellar amateur career that set the stage for his later success. Born on December 1, 1991, Cordina grew up in a vibrant sporting environment that nurtured his early interest in boxing. Cordina’s amateur career was marked by several notable achievements, showcasing his talent and determination. He first gained significant attention on the national scene when he became the Welsh Amateur Boxing Champion, a title he won multiple times starting in 2009. His success at the national level paved the way for more rigorous challenges internationally.

 

One of the highlights of Cordina’s amateur career was his participation in the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, where he represented Wales. His performance was outstanding, earning him a bronze medal in the lightweight division. This achievement was a critical milestone that brought him wider recognition and proved his ability to compete at a high level against some of the Commonwealth’s best boxers. Further enhancing his amateur credentials, Cordina competed in the 2016 European Boxing Championships and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he represented Great Britain. Although he did not medal at the Olympics, the experience of competing on one of the biggest stages in sports was invaluable for his development as a boxer.

 

Professional Career

 

Since his debut in April 2017, where he secured a knockout victory over Jose Aguilar at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, Cordina has consistently built a reputation as a formidable contender in the super-featherweight and lightweight divisions. Cordina’s early career saw a rapid accumulation of wins, with notable early victories including a first-round TKO against Josh Thorne at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, in May 2017, and another quick knockout against Jamie Speight in September 2017 at York Hall, London. These victories showcased his knockout power and ability to control fights from the outset.

 

In 2018, Cordina began collecting titles, starting with the vacant WBA International lightweight title in March by defeating Hakim Ben Ali in Cardiff. He then captured the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title in August 2018 by outpointing Sean Dodd, also in Cardiff. This win was followed by a defense of his Commonwealth title and acquisition of the British lightweight title in April 2019 against Andy Townend at The O2 Arena in London, marking his rise in the British boxing ranks.

 

A significant milestone in Cordina’s career was winning the vacant WBA Continental super-featherweight title in November 2019 against Enrique Tinoco in Monaco. This victory set the stage for his ascension to world title contention. On June 4, 2022, Cordina achieved a major career highlight by knocking out Kenichi Ogawa in just two rounds at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, capturing the IBF super-featherweight title. This performance was a statement of his world-class ability and striking power.

 

Cordina’s most high-profile fight to date took place on April 22, 2023, when he defended his IBF super-featherweight title against Shavkat Rakhimov in Cardiff. Winning this fight by a split decision after a highly competitive twelve rounds further solidified his status as a champion at the international level. He continued his success by retaining his IBF title against Edward Vazquez on November 4, 2023, in a masterclass display of boxing at the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco, demonstrating his technical prowess and strategic mind.