Joe Cordina to defend IBF super-featherweight title against Edward Vazquez in Monaco

IBF super-featherweight champion Joe Cordina is undefeated in 16 fights

Joe Cordina will defend his IBF super-featherweight world title against American Edward Vazquez in Monte Carlo on Saturday, 4 November.

The 31-year-old Welshman reclaimed the belt with a split-decision win over Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in April 2023.

Cordina had been stripped of the title in 2022 after breaking his right hand.

"I'm expecting it to be a tough fight, but if I can't beat Edward Vazquez, I don't deserve to be world champion," Cordina told BBC Sport Wales.

"I'm looking to do a job. He's standing in the way of me giving my kids a very bright future, so that's my motivation.

"I haven't been able to set my family up for life yet, but I plan on doing that.

"To beat me you have to have something special."

Should he defeat the American, Cordina would be keen on a divisional unification fight with a bout at Cardiff City Stadium - the home of his beloved football team.

"I would love that," said unbeaten Cordina (16-0, 9 KOs) when asked if he wanted to fight in the Welsh capital.

"We could do it in the summer, if I fight early next year. I'm sure we could work something out."

WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete, WBA title holder Hector Luis Garcia and O'Shaquie Foster, who holds the WBC belt, are the division's other world champions.

A successful defence by Cordina against 27-year-old Vazquez (15-1, 3 KOs), making his first world title shot, could also pave the way for a domestic showdown against the winner of Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington's clash in their WBA featherweight world title fight at Sheffield's Utility Arena on 7 October.

On the same Monaco card, Sive Nontshinga will defend his IBF light flyweight crown against Adrian Curiel Dominguez.

Cordina is looking forward to returning to Monaco, where he overcame Mario Enrique Tinoco in November 2019.

"I'm excited to be fighting at the Casino de Monte-Carlo for a second time," Cordina added.

"I have happy memories of fighting in Monte Carlo, landing the WBA continental title in my first outing down at super-featherweight, and I'm looking to put on another explosive performance on November 4th as I continue to work towards unifying the division."