Joe Cordina vs Edward Vazquez Airs November 4 on DAZN
Joe Cordina (16-0, 9 KOs) returns to the ring on November 4 to make the first defense of the IBF junior lightweight title against American Edward Vazquez (15-1, 3 KOs). The bout will occur at the Casino de Monte Carlo, in Monte Carlo, Monaco on DAZN.
Cordina is the two-time IBF champion at 130. The 31-year-old from Cardiff, Wales initially won the belt with a second-round knockout over Kenichi Ogawa in June 2022.
After being stripped of the title due to injury, Cordina re-captured the IBF strap with a split-decision victory over Shavkat Rakhimov in April 2023. The Welsh fighter posted the following on social media about his upcoming title defense:
Vazquez is a tough veteran from Fort Worth, Texas. The 27-year-old is on a four-fight winning streak. His most recent outing was a ten-round unanimous decision victory over Brayan De Gracia in July 2023.
THE STYLE MATCHUP
The defending champion prefers to fight at range. But in the win over Rakhimov, Cordina also showed that he’s capable of fighting inside and can hurt his opponents with body shots. Vazquez is an aggressive warrior who likes to apply pressure and wear his opponents down with activity.
Cordina hopes a win over Vazquez will set up a possible unification contest against WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster. Vazquez looks to win the IBF crown in his first world title shot.
