Cordina’s happy to be the headline act

JOE Cordina is all set for the biggest fight of his career to date as the Welshman takes on Sean Dodd at Cardiff’s Ice Arena tonight.

The undefeated 26-year-old (7-0) will be the main event on a boxing card for the first time in his career as he looks to take home the vacant Commonwealth Lightweight title.

Rio 2016 Olympian Cordina - an ardent Cardiff City fan - has twice fought on the undercards of world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua at the Principality Stadium but will now have the chance to take centre stage himself in his home city.

So ahead of the bout, we caught up with Cordina to discuss his life as a boxer, his long-term aims, his love of Cardiff City and plenty more.

Here’s the interview with the Welsh Wizard in full. HE’S a lovely guy, I’m not disputing that. But when fight night comes, even from his side, he knows there’s going to be fireworks.

You show mutual respect because it’s a gentleman’s sport. He’s a great guy and a great fighter so I’m definitely looking forward to it. NO. When you go to an Olympic Games and you’re expected to medal, that’s pressure. Four years of your life have been dedicated to that.

Nothing compares to that, even walking out in-front of 70,000 people in Cardiff on Anthony Joshua’s undercard, it will not compare to it. So this is a walk in the park.

I’m not saying the occasion is a walk in the park because it’s a big occasion for myself.

Secondly, it’s a domestic title that will get me up the rankings and it’s a title that I need to get on the way to where where I need to be. But, people are saying about the pressure and the occasion, it won’t get to me. Trust me. NO not really. He does his thing and I do my thing. If I do speak to him or if I did ring him and I asked him anything he’d give me his advice.

But he knows I’m in a good place and that I’m in a good place with Tony Sims. But he’s sound. IT’S great. To see my face on the centre of a billboard and posters with Masher Dodd as a main event gives me goosebumps.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, so it’s an amazing feeling.

When I get that win and if I can do it in style, then it’ll all be worth it. OF course. I was down the Vale Resort with the Cardiff City boys, and it was incredible seeing Geraint Thomas do the business at the Tour de France. It’s all happening in Wales. So if we can bring big time boxing back to Cardiff then I think everyone would be happy because the British boxing scene is booming. IT’S just a mutual respect really. If I see any of them I’ll say hello.

I’ve spoken to Neil Warnock because after my last fight he invited me up to his box for food and pictures and stuff. He’s a lovely guy and I have a lot of respect for him.

With the players, we follow each other on social media so there’s a real mutual respect there. Hats off to them and I wish them all well. I want to be a world champion. This has got to be one of the steps, this is a step I have to take and go through.

He’s standing in my way, and he’s stopping my kids from eating so I have to win.