Joseph Cordina can now call himself a world champion. In front of his hometown fans in Wales, the 2016 Olympian scored a second-round knockout of Kenichi Ogawa. Avoiding the Japanese fighter’s power, Cordina dipped low before landing a right hand that put Ogawa on the canvas. The former IBF champion attempted to get to his feet, but referee Michael Alexander counted to ten before he could regain his senses. In complete bliss, Cordina celebrated with his cornermen as the crowd cheered.
“That is just stunning from Joe Cordina. What a way to win your first world title,” TalkSport.com Boxing Editor Michael Benson tweeted.
“Wow! [That’s the] KO of the year or decade whatever you want to call it,” Matchroom Sport Ltd. Chairman Eddie Hearn added.
Cordina entered the fight as the one of the IBF’s three best super featherweight fighters. Moving forward, he may be ranked among the three best fighters in the division on every major publication’s list. At 30 years old, Cordina holds a record of 15-0 with nine knockouts. A potential fight with Zelfa Barrett seems to be on the horizon. He could also pursue unification bouts with Shakur Stevenson or Roger Gutierrez.
“I told y’all [that Joe Cordina is] the best fighter at 130 [pounds] from England. I would love to come to England for some smoke,” Shakur Stevenson commented.
Joseph Cordina’s knockout of Kenichi Ogawa is the start of a major night in boxing. In Minneapolis, David Morrell Jr. and Stephen Fulton will defend their titles at the Armory. Elsewhere, George Kambosos Jr. will attempt to defend his undisputed lightweight title against Devin Haney on ESPN.
JOE CORDINA JUST DID THAT ?#OgawaCordina pic.twitter.com/OXsBcqgqVe
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 4, 2022
