Joe Cordina v Kenichi Ogawa 4th June 2022 IBF super featherweight

[TIC]

neither guy is a threat to shakur. i like joe & think he can win but it will be his toughest opponent & biggest test. i can see kenichi causing big problems for joe & think joe could have used a couple more fights before facing a guy like kenichi. i'm interested in this fight

[Master]

Joe Cordina has the chance to become the IBF Super-Featherweight champion by beating Kenichi Ogawa at the Motorpoint Arena in his hometown of Cardiff this weekend.

The undefeated fighter, who boasts a 14-0 record, is confident he’ll realise his dream on Saturday evening before Wales play Ukraine the following day in a World Cup play-off – capping off an epic week of events in the UK.

“It’s a massive weekend for Welsh sport,” Cordina told talkSPORT. “Not only that, it’s the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee also that weekend which is great. It’s amazing for Wales, it’s amazing for everyone attending the boxing or the football.”

The 30-year-old is not overawed ahead of his first world title bid and believes he has the beating of Ogawa.

“He’s a world champion so he’s a good fighter but I don’t think he’s fought anybody like me,” Cordina said. “He’s had a lot of fights against people with poor records. No more than ten fights with half and half losses and wins.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s fought Tevin Farmer who is world level and has been a world champion, but he got done for doping and I thought he lost that fight, Tevin Farmer won that fight really.

“I don’t think he’s had many fights where they’ve been technically great or very good, but he’s meeting someone on June 4th who is technically good, has been at the pinnacle of the amateurs, seen every style there is, and boxed some great fighters.”

Ogawa’s biggest career win over Farmer was overturned to a no-contest and he was suspended from the sport for six months after he tested positive for two types of androstanediol – a synthetic testosterone.

The 2016 Olympian insists he is not concerned about Ogawa potentially cheating in their upcoming fight and says either way he’ll be walking out the arena as champion.

“It’s in the back of your mind but I don’t give a monkey’s,” Cordina said.

“I’ll go in I’ll do my job, he’ll do his job and obviously, if he gets done for doping, anti-doping do their job. Regardless of what he’s taking or what he’s doing, I plan on doing a job on him.”

All being well on Saturday night, Cordina is hoping to move straight into big fights against the likes of unified super-featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson, who has previously expressed a willingness to come to the UK for a fight with him.

“It’s a fight that I’d love, and I’m a fan of his because I’m a boxing fan first and foremost, he said. “But I back myself against anyone and it’s a fight I’d love.

“I’m that sort of person, any challenge I’m willing to hit head on. I’ve been shouting for a world title for ages, and I’ve got one now. God willing, I get the job done on Saturday in style, I’ll be looking to unify.”

Before that happens, though, Cordina will be in attendance at the Cardiff City Stadium the following day to watch Gareth Bale and co. try to reach another World Cup.

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1...ine-world-cup/

[Master]

Cordina starts aggressive in the first round against Ogawa but was getting countered.

1 nil Ogawa

[Master]

Cordina still pressing the action in the second round when he knocks out Ogawa clean out with a huge counter right hand!

[Master]

That is a brilliant way to win a world title. That knock out is a dream punch and will be shown for a long time.

Ogawa is ok and sportingly congratulates Cordina.

[Master]

Eddie will set up a defence of Cordina title against Barrett who was on the undercard next.

[TIC]

i'm impressed