Joe Cordina, the former world champion, made his anticipated return to the squared circle following an extended period of inactivity stretching back to May 2024. His opponent, Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz of Mexico, presented a deceptively dangerous profile on paper, boasting a significant number of knockouts on his record. However, as the ten rounds unfolded, Cordina demonstrated the levels that separate elite contenders from capable journeymen, ultimately securing a comfortable unanimous decision victory and the vacant WBO Global lightweight title.
Quiroz arrived with a 17-1 record, featuring 13 stoppages, a statistic designed to command respect. Yet, a closer inspection, particularly his sole defeat and physical stature relative to Cordina, hinted that the powerful finishes might have come against opposition a tier below the Welshman`s standard. Any expectation of a classic `Mexican upset` narrative was quickly moderated as the fight began.
Cordina, making his debut at the lightweight limit for this contest, controlled the tempo when he consistently employed his sharp jab. This fundamental tool kept Quiroz at range and disrupted the Mexican`s rhythm. Nevertheless, Quiroz was game and energetic in the initial stages, attempting to make it uncomfortable for the returning fighter.
The most notable moment of alarm for the Cordina corner arrived in the fifth round. Perhaps opening up slightly too much in pursuit of offense, Cordina was met by a well-timed, whipping left hook from Quiroz. The shot visibly staggered the former champion momentarily, injecting a brief jolt of tension into the arena. Quiroz pressed the advantage briefly but seemed to pay a physical price for the exertion, returning to his corner visibly holding his ribcage – a potential consequence of Cordina`s bodywork or simply the strain of the pace.
Quiroz showed flashes again in the seventh round, landing another quick combination that buzzed Cordina. However, these were fleeting moments of success rather than sustained pressure. Cordina, displaying maturity and ring intelligence, opted against engaging in unnecessarily risky exchanges. While capable of trading fire, he intelligently used his superior boxing skills to negate Quiroz`s forward movement and land accurate shots from distance as the rounds progressed.
By the later rounds, Quiroz was noticeably tiring, his early energy dissipating. Cordina, shaking off some evident ring rust, settled into a more dominant pattern, finding his range and picking his shots effectively. The Mexican fighter was often on the back foot, looking ragged by the close of the seventh round, thankful for the bell.
The judges` scorecards reflected Cordina`s clear command of the contest, reading 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92 in his favour. The victory improves Joe Cordina`s professional record to 18 wins and 1 loss, with 9 knockouts. Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz`s record now stands at 17 wins and 2 losses, with 13 knockouts. Referee Marcus McDonnell oversaw a bout that had intensity but remained within the bounds of fair competition.
Speaking after the fight, Cordina acknowledged the benefit of getting the full ten rounds. “I enjoyed it, I needed something like that, 10 rounds,” he stated, also conceding that his timing felt “way off.” Despite this, he recognized Quiroz`s early threat: “I wasn`t able to take him lightly because of his knockout ratio.” His new trainer, Gary Lockett, echoed the sentiment regarding the fight`s duration, stating, “It was a good 10 rounds. I preferred him to get the 10 rounds rather than knocking him out in two or three rounds,” and praised Cordina as “one of the most talented fighters in Britain.”
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn outlined the potential path forward for Cordina. The newly acquired WBO Global title positions him favourably within the rankings at lightweight. Hearn expressed a desire for Cordina to target the winner of the upcoming clash between Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes, potentially paving the way for a shot at becoming a two-division world champion. A significant fight later in the year is anticipated as the next step in Cordina`s career resurgence.
