Joe Cordina vs. Edward Vazquez | DAZN - 4 November 2023

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Cordina To Defend IBF Title Sept. 30 In Cardiff; Desired Unification With O'Shaquie Foster Unlikely

Joe Cordina is set for a third straight home game.

The unbeaten, two-time IBF junior lightweight titlist is on the hunt for a challenger but is armed with a fight date and location. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Cordina will headline a September 30 DAZN show in Cardiff, Wales, where he has appeared in each of his past two outings.

A domestic pairing is likely in store for the 31-year-old Welshman.

“From a UK perspective, a British perspective, you got Zelfa Barrett, you got [Belfast’s Anthony] Cacace,” Hearn revealed to IFL TV.

Cordina (16-0, 9KOs) will attempt his first title defense across two title reigns. He regained the belt in a twelve-round, split decision victory over unbeaten Shavkat Rakhimov on April 22 at Cardiff International Arena. The same venue housed his first title win, a sensational second-round knockout of Kenichi Ogawa last June 3.

A broken hand injury prevented Cordina from making a mandatory title defense last November versus Rakhimov, which resulted in his being stripped of the title by the IBF.

Rakhimov won the belt in a ninth-round knockout of Manchester’s Barrett (29-2,16KOs last November 5 in Abu Dhabi. Barrett rebounded with a twelve-round win over former title challenger Jason Sanchez on the Cordina-Rakhimov and is the likely frontrunner to challenge Cordina in September.

Cordina will begrudgingly accept the fight, though his primary goal was a title unification bout versus recently crowned WBC titleholder O’Shaquie Foster (20-2, 11KOs).

“We spoke about Foster,” Hearn acknowledged. “I don’t think that’s going to be next.”

The news didn’t sit well with the unbeaten IBF champ.

“I’ve been on to them to try and fight the big names/champions in my weight and weight above because I want to be in massive fights,” Cordina stated in a recent response on Twitter to the current direction of his career. “And all [they’re] talking about is domestic fights that I don’t gain anything from.

“Baffles me that we don’t want the same thing, all the belts.”

Barring a change in itinerary, that dream will have to remain on hold until 2024.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[maley1984]

Saw a cordina tweet. Slating maychroom for wanting a domestic opposition. He wanted a unification or move up in weight to challenge a champion. He has no interest in barrett and cacace. Cant really blame him.

[goose 5]

I'm a massive Cordina fan-wish he would fight Barrett.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe is 31 now.

Good time to be a world champion.

But Hearn has to deliver better than just some domestic world title in house fights.

He gotta get bigger fights done for him.

Pay the money that’s being Freed up from ‘losing Canelo’ and get the unifications done.

[mickey1975]

Joe is 31 now.

Good time to be a world champion.

But Hearn has to deliver better than just some domestic world title in house fights.

He gotta get bigger fights done for him.

Pay the money that’s being Freed up from ‘losing Canelo’ and get the unifications done.

He more or less said they've spent enough getting him here, we want some back!

[Ruthless-RKO]

“I Ain’t Getting Paid Enough For A Hard Fight”, Cordina Reveals Why A Fight With Barrett Won’t Happen Next

Newly-crowned IBF Super Featherweight champion, Joe Cordina, is frustrated that his desired unification fight with O’Shaquie Foster will not come to fruition next due to boxing economics.

“With what Joe wants, with what O’Shaquie Foster wants, it’s impossible.”, Hearn confirmed to iFL TV‘s Colm McGuigan, “We’ve got to build towards fights like that. I know Joe’s Frustrated but we’ve still got a job to do on Joe to get him in those big money fights.”

The Cardiff International Arena has a capacity of around 5,000 and it was sold out for both the Ogawa and Rakhimov fights. A unification fight does not work economically at the venue and they would have to go outdoors to satisfy both fighters.

As a result, Matchroom is now targeting a voluntary defence for Cordina’s next fight at the Cardiff International Arena on September 30 with plans to make a unification fight after that.

Hearn “People like Zelfa Barrett and Cacace are more relevant and build a bigger show, a bigger night than someone you’ve never heard of.”

The British promoter wants to make an in-house, all-British, #1 vs #2 in the UK fight between Cordina and Barrett but is also willing to explore a fight with Queensberry-promoted Anthony Cacace.

Cordina seems completely uninterested in these domestic fights though, which are known to help build interest in and the profile of a fighter. The name he has mentioned for a voluntary defence is American Jamel Herring.

37-year-old Herring retired last year and has not won a fight in over two years.



The argument until now from fans and Cordina himself for not fighting Barret next is that Barrett had lost to Rakhimov, who Cordina beat, and wasn’t challenging enough for the newly-crowned IBF Super Featherweight champion.

The Welshman, however, has revealed the real reason why he won’t fight Matchroom stablemate and domestic rival Barrett next.

“Who said zelfa is shit. Zelfa is a hard fight but unfortunately I ain’t getting paid enough for a hard fight”

Joe Cordina On Twitter

Cordina doesn’t want to fight the Mancunian next as the risk-reward doesn’t add up. Barrett is too difficult a fight for the money being offered and the IBF champion would rather fight Jamel Herring for a similar financial offer.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Leaked card

[Ruthless-RKO]

Probably be announced soon.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[maverick23]

Good fight. Credit to Ali if it happens.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Two world title fights and two more championship bouts will light up Monte Carlo in a night of boxing on Saturday November 4, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding - France and French Overseas Territories, Andorra and Monaco).

Welsh hero Joe Cordina will defend his IBF super featherweight world title against American rival Edward Vazquez at the famous Casino de Monte Carlo.

Undefeated Cordina (16-0, 9 KOs) is widely regarded as one of the best British fighters today, a two-time champion of the world in just 16 fights, and returns to the ring following his breathtaking victory last April over Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. And Cordina makes his way back to Monaco where he overcame Mario Enrique Tinoco in November 2019.

The Tony Sims-trained champion, 31, will face a tough challenge in Vazquez (15-1, 3 KOs), who gets his first-ever world Title shot thanks to a four-fight winning streak. The 27-year-old Texan’s only career loss to date was a split decision defeat by Raymond Ford in May 2022.

Another all-action world Title fight is in store when South Africa’s Sive Nontshinga puts his IBF Light Flyweight championship on the line against Mexico’s Adrian Curiel Dominguez (22-4-1, 3 KOs).

The ‘Special One’ Nontshinga (12-0, 9 KOs) makes the second defence of his IBF crown, which he won in a fight of the year contender against Hector Flores Calixto in 2022.

The future of French boxing will be on display too as Souleymane Cissokho defends his WBC Silver Welterweight Title against Isaias Lucero.

The 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist is undefeated as a professional (16-0, 9 KOs), and will be looking to put on another strong showcase of his incredible talents on home soil when he collides with hard-hitting Mexican, Lucero (16-1, 10 KOs).

The inspirational Ramla Ali will seek redemption as she looks to avenge her only professional loss to date in a rematch with Julissa Guzman for the IBF Inter-Continental super bantamweight Championship. Mexican Guzman (13-2-2, 7 KOs) sensationally stopped Ali (8-1-0, 2 KOs) in round eight when they met in New Orleans back in June.

Campaign activist Ali, who fled war-torn Somalia as a refugee at the age of 12 to move to the UK, was selected as one of Time Magazine’s Women of the Year for 2023 and is a global ambassador for UNICEF along with Cartier and Christian Dior. A win over rival Guzman will reignite her dream of becoming a future World Champion.

More unmissable bouts will be confirmed in due course, along with ticket details.

"I'm excited to be fighting at the Casino de Monte-Carlo for a second time as I put my IBF Super-Featherweight World Title on the line against Edward Vazquez," said Cordina. "I have happy memories of fighting in Monte Carlo, landing the WBA Continental Title in my first outing down at Super-Featherweight, and I'm looking to put on another explosive performance on November 4 as I continue to work towards unifying the division. Tune in live on DAZN."

"We're delighted to be returning to beautiful Monte Carlo for another stacked night of World Title action," said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. "This will be our first fight night in Monte Carlo since 2019 and I'm thrilled to be returning with a huge World Title double-header featuring IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Joe Cordina defending his crown against Edward Vazquez and IBF Light-Flyweight World Champion Sive Nontshinga putting his belt on the line against Adrian Curiel Dominguez.

"The stunning Casino de Monte-Carlo is a special and unique setting within boxing and we have a thrilling night of championship action in store for fight fans around the world on DAZN. Ramla Ali looks exact revenge over Julissa Guzman and French star Souleyman Cissokho continues his climb up the Welterweight ladder as he faces Isaias Lucero, with more fights to be announced soon."

[margaret thatcher]

in 16 fights vasquez has had 5 split decisions and a draw. his last win was a ud but had two 96-94 cards

man likes em close

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[jwfg]

in 16 fights vasquez has had 5 split decisions and a draw. his last win was a ud but had two 96-94 cards

man likes em close

Sometimes mean he's been jobbed as the away fighter.

[jwfg]

Only four fights on this bill?

[jameswilson]

Only four fights on this bill?

Yeah think the Monte Carlo bills are usually only a few fights.

Usually fights that are tough to make as well in terms of maybe both fighters in the who needs him club.

[Bigdogsnose]

Strange career has Joe. Why choose to fight somebody pretty much unknown in Monte Carlo, which is shite for boxing.

Surely he would have been paid much better sgainst Barrett or Cacace, both very winnable fights and them move onto his unification.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Strange career has Joe. Why choose to fight somebody pretty much unknown in Monte Carlo, which is shite for boxing.

Surely he would have been paid much better sgainst Barrett or Cacace, both very winnable fights and them move onto his unification.

He said Barrett is a hard fight and he wasn’t getting paid enough. There’s an article if you scroll up.

[Bigdogsnose]

Strange career has Joe. Why choose to fight somebody pretty much unknown in Monte Carlo, which is shite for boxing.

Surely he would have been paid much better sgainst Barrett or Cacace, both very winnable fights and them move onto his unification.

He said Barrett is a hard fight and he wasn’t getting paid enough. There’s an article if you scroll up.

Yeah, read it at the time. Still find it strange if he's getting paid more for this fight than zelfa or cacace, which are both very winnable and would build up his stock more.

After relative obscurity and inactivity he's been on fire recently. Seems daft to have a step down, and who knows this could be a potential banana skin.

Fair play - ultimate goal is unification fights.

[jwfg]

Strange career has Joe. Why choose to fight somebody pretty much unknown in Monte Carlo, which is shite for boxing.

Surely he would have been paid much better sgainst Barrett or Cacace, both very winnable fights and them move onto his unification.

He said Barrett is a hard fight and he wasn’t getting paid enough. There’s an article if you scroll up.

Yeah, read it at the time. Still find it strange if he's getting paid more for this fight than zelfa or cacace, which are both very winnable and would build up his stock more.

After relative obscurity and inactivity he's been on fire recently. Seems daft to have a step down, and who knows this could be a potential banana skin.

Fair play - ultimate goal is unification fights.

He'll be getting plenty of cheddar for topping the bill in Monaco. He keeps busy, puts money in the bank and then moves on. Eddie can't just click his fingers and produce a Superfight for him. That's not how boxing works.

[SeanBrennan]

He said Barrett is a hard fight and he wasn’t getting paid enough. There’s an article if you scroll up.

Yeah, read it at the time. Still find it strange if he's getting paid more for this fight than zelfa or cacace, which are both very winnable and would build up his stock more.

After relative obscurity and inactivity he's been on fire recently. Seems daft to have a step down, and who knows this could be a potential banana skin.

Fair play - ultimate goal is unification fights.

He'll be getting plenty of cheddar for topping the bill in Monaco. He keeps busy, puts money in the bank and then moves on. Eddie can't just click his fingers and produce a Superfight for him. That's not how boxing works.

what do you think he'll get paid? High 6 figs?

[Bigdogsnose]

He said Barrett is a hard fight and he wasn’t getting paid enough. There’s an article if you scroll up.

Yeah, read it at the time. Still find it strange if he's getting paid more for this fight than zelfa or cacace, which are both very winnable and would build up his stock more.

After relative obscurity and inactivity he's been on fire recently. Seems daft to have a step down, and who knows this could be a potential banana skin.

Fair play - ultimate goal is unification fights.

He'll be getting plenty of cheddar for topping the bill in Monaco. He keeps busy, puts money in the bank and then moves on. Eddie can't just click his fingers and produce a Superfight for him. That's not how boxing works.

Fcuk me, you sound like a promoter. "Thats not how boxing works". Like a tag line for Ed and Frank for putting on shite shows.

As a fan, who likes watching boxing, i'd have much rather watched cordina against Zelfa or cacace in an arena suitable for a welshman facing a world rated manc or irishman.

Monte carlo shows are shit. No idea what he gets paid, hope its decent. Doesnt feel like he's maximising his profile.

If he wins, and gets foster next, fair play. But it isnt always how boxing works and it aint a superfight. As for eddie, he can barely make any fight these days, never mind a superfight.

[garethhop]

Yeah, read it at the time. Still find it strange if he's getting paid more for this fight than zelfa or cacace, which are both very winnable and would build up his stock more.

After relative obscurity and inactivity he's been on fire recently. Seems daft to have a step down, and who knows this could be a potential banana skin.

Fair play - ultimate goal is unification fights.

He'll be getting plenty of cheddar for topping the bill in Monaco. He keeps busy, puts money in the bank and then moves on. Eddie can't just click his fingers and produce a Superfight for him. That's not how boxing works.

Fcuk me, you sound like a promoter. "Thats not how boxing works". Like a tag line for Ed and Frank for putting on shite shows.

As a fan, who likes watching boxing, i'd have much rather watched cordina against Zelfa or cacace in an arena suitable for a welshman facing a world rated manc or irishman.

Monte carlo shows are shit. No idea what he gets paid, hope its decent. Doesnt feel like he's maximising his profile.

If he wins, and gets foster next, fair play. But it isnt always how boxing works and it aint a superfight. As for eddie, he can barely make any fight these days, never mind a superfight.

Exactly this. Just put two good fights on between 8.30pm and 10.30pm on a Saturday night, in front of a decent atmosphere, with one of the fighters being someone I've heard of before, and if it can be both, that's amazing! That's all I want, on a regular basis. I ain't getting it, that's for sure.