Joe Cordina, the Welsh boxer, secured a unanimous victory over Gabriel Flores Jr. in California, bringing him one step closer to his dream of becoming a two-weight world champion. The fight, held at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, was a strategic battle with Cordina showcasing his superior skills and control. Despite being docked a point in the sixth round for rabbit punching, Cordina's relentless pressure and pace kept Flores Jr. on the defensive.
This win marks Cordina's second success in the lightweight division, following a hard-fought points victory over Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz in July, which earned him the vacant WBO global lightweight title. With a professional record of 19 wins and one defeat, Cordina's only loss came to Anthony Cacace in May 2024, when he lost his 130lb title in Riyadh. Flores Jr., on the other hand, saw his six-fight winning streak come to an end, slipping to 27-3 (eight KOs).
Cordina's performance in his first American bout, ranked number six by the WBO, has solidified his position as the number one contender and mandatory challenger to Abdullah Mason, the current WBO lightweight world champion. The victory in Flores Jr.'s backyard is a significant step towards Cordina's goal of becoming a two-weight world champion, and it will be fascinating to see how he continues to dominate in the boxing ring.
