NO ORDINARY JOES
Cordina’s ‘mad’ dream to follow in the footsteps of Welsh world champion and unbeatable icon Calzaghe
JOE CORDINA claims it is “mad” to think he could write his name alongside Joe Calzaghe’s in Welsh boxing history.
Cordina will bid to become Wales’ 13th world champion when he challenges IBF superfeatherweight champ Kenichi Ogawa at Cardiff ’s Motorpoint Arena tonight.
The former Olympian can take his place beside the likes of Calzaghe, Steve Robinson, Nathan Cleverly and Lee Selby if he wins in front of his hometown fans.
The 30-year-old remembers being blown away when he watched
Calzaghe in his pomp and can scarcely believe he can join him as Wales’ latest world champion.
“Calzaghe was always the talk of the town because he was our Welsh world champion and probably Britain’s best fighter ever,” said Cordina.
“You’ve got 12 Welsh world champions, who were all great fighters, and when anyone talks about boxing and great world champions, their names always come up.
“So for me, to be mentioned in the same breath as them, that would be great. I’ve got a job to do, though, before I can even think of being mentioned in those circles. It’s quite mad to think I could go down in the history of Welsh boxing. I’m also part Maltese, so I would be Malta’s first world champion and my grandfather is Maltese.
“I’ve got a job to do on Saturday and then I can start chucking my name into the conversation about previous Welsh world champions.” The unbeaten Cordina only started boxing at 15 and enjoyed a fine amateur career, winning European championship gold and Commonwealth Games bronze.
He also boxed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and says winning a world title would be his crowning achievement.
“I’m happy with what I’ve done already,” he said. “I wasn’t meant to box. I only started just before my 16th birthday.
“It wasn’t ever in the plan, I wanted to play football and rugby. When I did take it up, I had little goals. I achieved them as an amateur and now it’s about winning a world title.
“Once I’ve done that, I’ll be settled.”
Ogawa, 34, is making his first defence and Cordina claims the Japanese, who has lost only one of his 28 pro fights, has never fought anyone of his class.
“He’s a good fighter and he’s a world champion for a reason, but I just don’t think he’s boxed anyone like me,” he said. “He boxed Tevin Farmer and got done for doping – but I thought he lost that fight anyway.
“He boxed Azinga Fuzile, but I don’t think Fuzile is world level, he’s not my level. I just don’t think Kenechi has fought anyone like me.”