Cordina Maintains Self-Defence In Petrol Station Assault Trial

Former world champion Joe Cordina told a Cardiff court he was defending himself when he punched Jamie O'Brien at a petrol station in February, according to BBC Sport.

Cordina appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with assault by beating relating to the 27 February incident at a Texaco garage in Pentwyn. Prosecutor Alex Orndal said CCTV showed Cordina approach O'Brien on the pavement, where O'Brien shoved him with his shoulder before Cordina "punched him with sufficient force to push him to the ground," per the BBC report. A second assault charge against the Welsh boxer was dropped during the hearing.

Cordina Says Threat Warning Left Him On Edge

The court heard that Cordina had been warned by police about a threat to his life two weeks before the altercation. "It was just a reaction, I felt a bit threatened," Cordina said, per BBC Sport. "I wasn't going over to seek any trouble — I was just defending myself." O'Brien's sister reportedly told police her brother "hated" Cordina and she feared he had "sought" the fighter out.

Defence barrister Tom Crowther KC suggested the incident was a setup, noting that the person filming appeared to start recording before any physical contact occurred. Investigating officer PC Samuel Penman admitted it was a "mistake" not to question O'Brien's sister about her concerns that her brother held a "vendetta" against Cordina.

O'Brien previously admitted a charge of assault by beating. Judge Charlotte Murphy adjourned the hearing and will deliver her judgment on 20 October.

Source: bbc.co.uk