Joe Cordina Shows Interest in a Unification Showdown with O’Shaquie Foster
Two-time IBF junior lightweight champion Joe Cordina (16-0, 9 KOs) has not been shy about saying he wants his future to include a unification bout. Could that opportunity come against WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (20-2, 11 KOs)?
Cordina regained the IBF strap on April 22 with a split decision victory over Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. In the days following that win, Cordina’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, mentioned Foster as a possible opponent for Cordina. During an interview with the UK news source Boxing News, the IBF champion spoke about the possibility of facing the WBC champion.
“He’s got the WBC belt. Green is my favorite color. He’s a good fighter. I’m not going to sit here and say that he’s not. He’s a very good fighter. I’d welcome him with open arms . . . I’m sure we can make some good money. We can make a memorable night, and have a good fight, and add another belt to the collection.”
MUTUAL INTEREST
Foster captured the vacant WBC title with a dominant unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten and two-division champion Rey Vargas in February 2023. Immediately following the win over Vargas, Foster said he also wants to unify But in this sport, timing is everything.
Foster fights for PBC. The reality is that neither fighter is a cash cow at 130. Both champions need to raise their profile and grow in popularity. Unifications bouts are about money, when it comes to promoters. It would behoove Cordina and Foster to make a few title defenses to gain the attention of the boxing public. Should that scenario play out, then you go for unification.
However, Cordina and Foster want to attain the same goal. Hearn and PBC are not afraid to work together to make a big fight. With time, a Cordina-Foster junior lightweight unification bout could be in the cards in the future.
