Kenichi Ogawa Motivated by Challenge of Facing Joe Cordina in Enemy Territory
On June 4, Kenichi Ogawa (26-1-1, 18 KOs) makes the first defense of the IBF junior lightweight title against Joe Cordina (14-0, 8 KOs) at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. For the champ, he will be in enemy territory, fighting in the challenger’s hometown.
Ranked third by the IBF, Cordina is hoping the crowd helps bolster him to victory. But Ogawa seems undaunted at the prospect of fighting on enemy lines. As he explained during an interview with The Ring, it’s added fuel to go in there and take care of business.
“It doesn’t matter where I fight. I’m happy to defend my title abroad. I’m more motivated because I’m fighting abroad. I hope to get a favorable result and go home with the belt.”
THE PATH TO BECOMING A WORLD CHAMPION
That attitude stems from overcoming obstacles throughout his career. The road to winning a world title was far from smooth for the 34-year-old from Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. After working his way up ranks and fighting through the rugged Japanese boxing circuit, he faced Tevin Farmer for the then-vacant IBF title in December 2017. Ogawa was declared the winner by a disputed split decision. But the verdict was later ruled a no-contest after Ogawa popped positive for the banned substance androstanediol.
After receiving a one-year suspension, he returned to the ring in February 2019. After four straight wins, he earned a second opportunity at a world title as he battled Azinga Fuzile for the once again vacant IBF belt in November 2021.
Fighting at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City, Ogawa left nothing up to chance and took care of business. Using his power and aggression to seize control early, he knocked down Fuzile twice en route to a decisive and hard-earned victory.
Now he faces Cordina, who has reputation of being a slick, smooth boxer. The champ has seen plenty of his adversary on tape but is predictably tight-lipped on his plan of attack on fight night. However, two things are clear for Ogawa heading into what many UK experts are predicting to be a competitive scrap. One, he fights for more than himself. Two, he’s looking forward to the challenge against Cordina.
“More than anything else, I’m happy for my family, who had supported me throughout the time I didn’t have the title. I’m very pleased for me and mostly for my family […] Cordina is a good fighter. I’ve seen highlights on DAZN. I’m using that image of him as I train. See you in the ring on June 4.”
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
