The unforgiving theatre of professional boxing rarely offers a smooth, uninterrupted ascent. For Joe Cordina, the Welshman who once held the IBF super-featherweight world title, the path has recently become a winding, uphill battle. After a career-first defeat in May 2024 and subsequently finding himself without promotional backing, Cordina stands at a crossroads. Yet, far from being disheartened, the “Welsh Dragon” is sharpening his claws, moving up to the lightweight division, and meticulously outlining his ambitious plans for 2025 to reclaim a spot at the pinnacle of the sport.
A Champion Dethroned: The Weight of Expectations
Cordina`s journey to this pivotal moment began with a spectacular second-round knockout of Kenichi Ogawa in 2022, a victory that saw him claim the IBF super-featherweight strap on home soil. He defended it twice in 2023, engaging in two grueling, razor-thin contests against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and Edward Vazquez, emerging victorious each time. However, the 130lb limit, a division he had dominated, was becoming an increasingly demanding adversary. The toll of the weight cut became starkly evident in May 2024 when Anthony Cacace stopped him after eight rounds. This defeat not only cost him his belt but also, in the brutal calculus of the boxing business, left him a free agent.
The Frustrations of Free Agency: A Solitary Path
In a candid reflection, Cordina didn`t shy away from expressing his disillusionment with the sport`s commercial realities. “It’s a bit s**t because you don’t know where you are,” he remarked, a sentiment many seasoned fighters understand intimately. The glamour of being a world champion often attracts a host of stakeholders, but when the tide turns, the support can dissipate as quickly as it appeared. “Everyone wants a piece of the pie. Then, as soon as the ship starts to sink, everyone jumps off,” he observed with a touch of weary irony. This unfiltered honesty underscores the solitary nature of a boxer`s journey when the spotlight dims and the promotional machine moves on.
The Lightweight Leap: A New Horizon
The decision to move up to lightweight (135lb) was not merely a reaction to his recent loss but a strategic pivot driven by long-standing difficulties in making the super-featherweight limit. For a fighter whose physical conditioning is paramount, shedding those few extra pounds can be the difference between peak performance and a compromised one. This move offers Cordina a fresh start, a chance to compete without the draining pre-fight battle against the scales, potentially unleashing a more robust and energetic version of the “Welsh Dragon.”
2025 Vision: Two Fights, One Goal
Cordina`s immediate future is meticulously planned, with an emphasis on activity. He aims for two fights in 2025. The first is tentatively scheduled for late May or early June, breaking a year-long period of inactivity since his last bout. A second outing is envisioned for autumn or winter, designed to build momentum and strategic positioning. His ambition is clear: to mount a world title challenge at lightweight. The landscape of the lightweight division is currently vibrant and competitive, offering a plethora of challenging matchups that Cordina relishes.
Interestingly, Cordina was previously slated to face Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title in October 2024, only for the bout to fall through due to Stevenson`s injury. This near-miss serves as a poignant reminder of how close he was to an immediate title opportunity and fuels his drive for a future clash. Despite his recent setback and period of inactivity, Cordina`s standing within the sport remains strong; he currently sits as the number six-ranked contender with the WBC. This high ranking suggests that, with a couple of strong performances, he could quickly re-enter the conversation for another world title shot against Stevenson or one of the division`s other elite.
The Fighter`s Mentality: Thriving on Challenge
“I am one of these fighters who believes that, if I’m in with a good fighter, then I am going to perform [at my best],” Cordina declared. This encapsulates a crucial aspect of his competitive spirit. While many fighters seek a “tune-up” after a loss or a long layoff, Cordina expresses a nuanced view. “For me, if I have someone that I don’t believe is anywhere near my level, I might drop down to his level. So I don’t really want to do that and get complacent.” This isn`t arrogance; it`s a profound understanding of his own psychological make-up. He demands worthy adversaries to ignite his full potential, a testament to a true competitor who fears complacency more than defeat.
Joe Cordina’s narrative is a compelling blend of resilience, frustration, and unwavering ambition. His shift to lightweight, coupled with a clear, two-fight plan for 2025, signals not a retreat, but a strategic advance. The “Welsh Dragon” may have been unchained from his promotional ties, but this newfound freedom, perhaps ironically, might just be the catalyst for a truly spectacular resurgence. The boxing world awaits to see if he can transform the sting of defeat and the solitude of free agency into the roar of a champion once more.
