Joe Cordina Seizes Title Opportunity with Knockout Win Over Kenichi Ogawa
Joe “The Wizard” Cordina (15-0, 9KO) finally got to hear, “and the new,” after winning the IBF junior lightweight title by savage knockout over former champion Kenichi Ogawa (26-2-1, 18KOs)
In 2017, Joe Cordina signed with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, and it was off to the races. Cordina won the Commonwealth, the BBBofC, and WBA International lightweight titles. The undefeated fighter from Cardiff, Wales moved down to the junior lightweight division and continued to dominate, working up the ranks to the number #3 slot with the IBF.
Kenichi Ogawa had to overcome a black mark on his name to become a champion. In 2017, he defeated Tevin Farmer for the vacant IBF junior lightweight championships. However, the celebration was brief as a failed test for a banned substance emerged. Ogawa was stripped of the title, and the fight with Farmer was changed to a no contest. After four years of working his way back to the title, he defeated Azinga Fuzile for the championship in 2021.
STATEMENT MADE BY CORDINA
Fighting in front of the home crowd, inspired by the amount of support, Cordina was a man on a mission. The 2016 Olympian started the fight using the jab and footwork to keep Ogawa off balance. Ogawa used the experience by landing the jab and a left hook on Cordina as both fighters had success in the first round.
In round two, Ogawa was coming forward standing tall, and landed a good right hand. However, if you went to the bathroom or turned to answer your phone, you returned to watching the replay. Cordina calmed down and saw an opening while feinting to the body before exploding with a fight-ending right hand over the low guard of the IBF champion.
The crowd erupted as it was clear the fight was over. Ogawa could not get up off the canvas, thereby forcing the referee to end the fight. Cordina seized the moment, won the championship and became the second man to knock out the Japanese fighter since 2012.
Cordina punched his way into stardom with this performance, scoring a meme-style knockout.
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By: Garrisson Bland
