Joe Cordina’s Comeback
Joe Cordina, a former IBF super-featherweight champion, has established himself firmly back in the boxing world following his comeback match where he secured a victory and claimed the vacant WBO global lightweight championship. This win took place at the AO Arena in Manchester, marking Cordina’s return to the ring after a 14-month absence.
Aiming for the Top
At 33 years old, the accomplished boxer is setting his sights on returning to significant bouts, aspiring for a shot at a world title in the lightweight division, where he has previously held both British and Commonwealth titles.
“It’s incredible to add another title to my collection, and in boxing, that’s always the goal,” Cordina shared after his notable victory. He emphasized his ambition, stating, “While the WBO global title is a great achievement, my ultimate aim is to secure a WBO world title. I’m open to any title—whether it’s WBO, IBF, or WBC.”
Positioning for Future Fights
After this latest success, Cordina has positioned himself within the top 15 fighters worldwide.
“Winning the WBO global title has put me in a strong position for the WBO championship next,”
he noted, mentioning potential matchups against the likes of Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes. He also highlighted the possibility of competing against current champions such as Raymond Muratalla from IBF and Gervonta Davis for any available belts.
“I just want to find myself back in the mix of big fights and prominent events; that’s what drives me in boxing.”
Past Achievements and Challenges
Cordina first achieved world champion status in June 2022 when he defeated Kenichi Ogawa to earn the IBF super-featherweight title. Unfortunately, an injury—a broken hand—forced him to relinquish the title when he was unable to defend it within the required timeframe. He reclaimed the title in April 2023 after a split-decision victory against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. After one successful defense against Edward Vazquez, Cordina suffered a shock loss to Northern Ireland’s Anthony Cacace in May 2024.
Originally, Cordina was scheduled to face WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in October, but the fight was derailed due to Stevenson’s injury. In his recent match against Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz, a talented 24-year-old Mexican fighter with a record showcasing 13 knockouts in 17 victories, Cordina faced a significant challenge. However, his experience shone through, allowing him to secure a unanimous decision with scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92.
Reflecting on his performance, he remarked, “This fight was a crucial test for me. Three or four easier opponents were proposed, but I opted for Quiroz based on his power punches. I needed to stay focused and managed to control the match despite having a bit of ring rust, so I’m pleased with the outcome.”
