Joe Cordina vs. Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov | DAZN - 22 April 2023

[margaret thatcher]

ya that would be true

i wonder if jo's still working with his family doctor , dr uzzy

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Cordina was due to defend his title last November against Shavkat Rakhimov but he suffered a hand injury, which meant the fight had to be postponed.

As a result, the International Boxing Federation stripped him of his world title.

After all the elation, came a crushing low.

"It's not very common," he explained. "Don't get me wrong, you have people stripped for certain things and whatever else but to be stripped of it for an injury, not even four months after winning it, yeah, that's not heard of, really.

"It has been hard, I'm not going to lie. The first three or four weeks, I was a bit in my feelings. I don't want to say it's depression because I don't want to go down that road but if I had to pick a word to describe it, yeah, that's what it was.

"I was a bit depressed, thinking about if it was worth carrying on because if I've got to have this amount of time out of the ring then there's no point.

"It's just like, I'm getting older, the clock's ticking, I've been stripped of my title, what's the point?"

After being talked out of retirement by his wife Lauren, Joe is back in the boxing ring. Nothing is confirmed yet but he expects to be fighting Rakhimov to get his belt back in 2023.

"Rakhimov is a tough fighter," admitted Cordina. "Technically, he is nowhere near my level but he's very tough and I've seen it in previous fights, he grinds wins out. Clearly he can punch.

"But I'm a smart fighter and smart fighters always prevail in the end and I believe I will beat him comfortably, I will get the better of him and I will get my title back."

Given everything that has happened in the last few months, the 31-year-old is taking nothing for granted.

But he holds a burning desire to one day fight at the Cardiff City Stadium, home of his beloved Bluebirds. And after winning his title back, he hopes that dream may one day become a reality.

He said: "I've boxed in the Principality Stadium, I've boxed in Wembley Stadium and Bramall Lane Stadium and for me now, I want to get this fight out of the way and I want a big fight in the summer.

"Obviously, you need the right dancing partner, Shakur Stevenson has called me out a few times, he's one of the best fighters on the planet at this present moment and he's called me out.

"I've got to punch him in the face, it's as simple as that. So if we could get that on in the summer that would be perfect and I think we could do the Cardiff City Stadium and that's my goal before I finish my career."

[Ruthless-RKO]

[margaret thatcher]

i thought they were angling towards cash-williams

[maverick23]

i thought they were angling towards cash-williams

Cash seems to want the European.

[margaret thatcher]

well that's a much worse fight, but tbh based on how cash has looked his last couple it might be smart for him

[Ruthless-RKO]

i thought they were angling towards cash-williams

They are.

For the summer.

Signani for the Euro belt, then Williams in the Summer.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Date confirmed!

[Ruthless-RKO]

[margaret thatcher]

good fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s Rakh-Cord now.. but cba changing it around.

[Boxerbeetle]

I’ll probably go to this, we’ve got Stoke at home in the afternoon too so will make a proper day of it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I’ll probably go to this, we’ve got Stoke at home in the afternoon too so will make a proper day of it.

Go for it.

Have a wicked day.

You going to the Stoke game too?

[DrDuke]

A good fight, gotta be competetive. I guess it'll be close, either Rakhimov scores a late stoppave or Cordina gets a dec.

[Boxerbeetle]

I’ll probably go to this, we’ve got Stoke at home in the afternoon too so will make a proper day of it.

Go for it.

Have a wicked day.

You going to the Stoke game too?

Yeah I got a season ticket, so go to pretty much all the games. Been dogshit this year.

[ashall2]

Wonder if Cordina will still have his new-found one punch power after recent going-ons at the Sims gym.

[margaret thatcher]

ya, curious to see how the dr.uzzy/sims trained joe does here, after returning from his absence

[maverick23]

Gwynne vs Woodruff confirmed for the British on the undercard.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gwynne vs Woodruff confirmed for the British on the undercard.

Is that a rematch?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Just remembered. Was a draw. On Channel 5.

[maverick23]

Gwynne vs Woodruff confirmed for the British on the undercard.

Is that a rematch?

Yeah. The first was a good one too.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Joe Cordina has the opportunity to become a two-time IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion when he faces current belt-holder Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in what promises to be an electric night of boxing at the Cardiff International Arena on Saturday April 22, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

“I saw Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi and he’s certainly a good fighter,” said Cordina. “I respect him, he’s strong and tough but you need to have a more than that to beat me. I never lost my belt in the ring, so my mindset is that I’m going to be walking in as the champion and leaving as the champion. Last time out the fans were unreal, and I can’t wait to experience that incredible atmosphere again in Cardiff.”

‘The Welsh Wizard’ (15-0, 9 KOs) captured the famous red and gold belt with a stunning one-punch knockout of Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa on a memorable night at the arena last June to become his country’s latest World Champion.

Cordina was scheduled to make the first defence of his World Title against Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi last November but suffered a hand injury that required surgery and was subsequently stripped of his title by the IBF.

Tajikistan’s Rakhimov (17-0-1, 14 KOs) won the vacant title by stopping Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett in nine rounds on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol vs. Gilberto Ramirez, and the 28-year-old southpaw is relishing the challenge of defending his crown in Cordina’s backyard.

Welsh rivals Gavin Gwynne (15-2-1, 3 KOs) and Craig Woodruff (12-6-1, 4 KOs) will rematch for the British Lightweight Title following their thrilling draw at the Bolton Whites Hotel last September and Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson (14-0, 11 KOs) puts his IBF European Title on the line against Swindon’s Luke Watkins (16-2, 11 KOs) – with more undercard fights to be announced soon.

“I cannot wait for Rakhimov against Cordina at the Cardiff International Arena,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Last time out it was an incredible night as Joe was crowned the new IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion with a sensational one-punch knockout win over Ogawa – this time it’s going to be even bigger and better.

“This is a massive night for Welsh boxing and for Joe Cordina. He has a straight shot to become a two-time World Champion without ever losing his belt in the ring. We saw Rakhimov in an unbelievable fight with Zelfa Barrett in Abu Dhabi and I’m expecting another great fight on April 22.

“Gavin Gwynne puts his British Lightweight Title on the line for the second time against Newport’s Craig Woodruff following their thrilling draw in September and Manchester Cruiserweight contender Jordan Thompson returns as he puts his IBF European Title on the line against Swindon’s Luke Watkins. There’s plenty more to come as we gear up for another electric night in Cardiff!”