Joe Cordina's Road to Two-Weight World Title: A Dominant Performance in California
In a thrilling boxing match at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, Joe Cordina, the Welsh former IBF super-featherweight champion, showcased his prowess in the lightweight division. His unanimous victory over Gabriel Flores Jr. marks a significant step towards his dream of becoming a two-weight world champion.
Cordina's performance was a testament to his skill and determination. Despite being docked a point in the sixth round for rabbit punching, he outboxed his American opponent, with judges scoring the contest 117-110, 115-112, and 114-113. This victory is a remarkable achievement, considering Cordina's return from a 14-month lay-off, where he claimed the vacant WBO global lightweight title with a hard-fought points win over Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz in July.
The fight was a highly anticipated event, billed as a final eliminator for the WBO lightweight world title, which was won by Abdullah Mason in an epic encounter with Sam Noakes in November. Cordina's performance against Flores Jr. not only showcased his boxing prowess but also his ability to adapt and control the pace of the fight, even under pressure.
With a professional record of 19 wins and one defeat (with nine KOs), Cordina's only loss came to Anthony Cacace in May 2024 when he lost his 130lb title in Riyadh. Flores Jr., despite giving Cordina a scare in round seven with an uppercut that buckled his knees, saw his six-fight winning streak end, slipping to 27-3 (eight KOs).
Cordina's performance in America, where he was ranked number six by the WBO, positions him as the number one contender and mandatory challenger to Mason. His victory over Flores Jr. is a significant step towards his goal of becoming a two-weight world champion, and it will be fascinating to see how he continues to dominate in the boxing world.
