Joe Cordina will tip toe toward the potential riches of 2024 this weekend when he faces American Edward Vazquez in the  first defence of his IBF Super-Featherweight title. The fight takes place in Monte Carlo, a frequent sojourn for Matchroom, and is constructed to help Eddie Hearn further showcase the 31-year-old Welshman as one of British boxing’s most important attractions.

Cordina 16-0 (9ko), needs to be active to foster that type of interest and to gather the momentum required to fulfil his undoubted pedigree. Troubling for his promoter is Cordina’s desire for unification. Domestic profile opponents and unheralded contenders from the lower reaches of IBF’s top-15 will not suffice. Cordina is choosy, in a good way. Vazquez represents an uneasy compromise between the two agendas of legacy and financial return. 

The aim is for the two to converge in 2024.

Continue reading “Low hanging fruit. Cordina looks to higher branches” →