IBF super featherweight world champion Joe Cordina has said that he wants to finish his career
in the Welsh capital of Cardiff. He takes on Irishman Anthony Cacace on the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undercard tonight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“This is the opportunity that arose and I jumped at it with both hands,” Cordina told BoxingScene. “It’s the biggest show in history, I’m not throwing that away.”
Just over a year ago Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs) reclaimed his IBF belt with a split decision win against then-champion Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in his native Cardiff. The noise coming from promoters Matchroom at the time had touted a defense at either Cardiff City Football Club’s 33,000 seater stadium or at the historical Cardiff Castle. However, Cordina would instead take on Edward Vazquez in Monaco.
“Although I would have loved to keep fighting in Cardiff,” Cordina explained. “Unfortunately we can only fight outside during certain times of the year. The rest is indoors, and we only hold a 5,000 seater arena, the revenue is not there to bring big fights. We do have to be smart in how we approach these big nights and have them at certain times of the year.
“I would love to finish off [my career] in Cardiff City Stadium. I’ll be disappointed if I retire and I don’t get to fight there.” Cacace (21-1, 7 KOs) comes to Riyadh off six straight wins, his lone career defeat coming at the hand of Martin J. Ward nearly seven years ago.
“He’s a good fighter,” Cordina added, “technically great. He can box, he can box, he can do it all. I just feel that I trump him in every department. I back myself. If he comes forward I can box or I can stand there. I’ll do my utmost to come out on top on the night.”
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