For anyone thinking the war of words post-fight was down to the heat of the battle, think again.

Joe Cordina, speaking to Dazn once again, has not calmed down. He repeats his claim that Edward Vazquez "is a sore loser."

However you scored it, this was meant to be a routine first defence for Cordina. It was anything but.

That's our lot for tonight. Goodnight.

Joe Cordina, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It wasn't my best performance, but it still got the job done. He didn't hurt me at any point. Nothing was happening so I felt like I had to ignite something. It probably wasn't my best idea. Don't make excuses, you lost the fight, end of story. I beat two champions back-to-back, come on man, you need to give me my flowers.

"Subconsciously, it just felt like I wasn't fighting all today. I've seen him fight, he's awkward. He's better than I thought. You can't win a fight like that. Look at my face and look at his face, I've not got a mark on me. I'm happy. I got a win against a good fighter with a bad performance."

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Edward Vazquez loses for the second time in 17 fights. He could have also been given the nod in a close fight against compatriot Raymond Ford last year.

Cordina meanwhile wins his 17th pro fight. There will be plenty of critics however. Big at super-featherweight, perhaps a move up to lightweight will come sooner than we think.

Eddie Hearn, speaking to DAZN: "I thought it was very close. Vazquez came on strong late on. We had three neutral judges here tonight. I had Joe Cordina edging the fight. I don't agree with 116-112. Vazquez will feel hard done by.

"Tonight, particularly, I felt Joe edged the fight as champion. He will have to be better. I still thought it was a good performance. I believe every champion should try and unify the division. I think Leigh Wood, Joe Cordina is a great fight. I would like to see him role the dice."

Joe Cordina's promoter Eddie Hearn has just said in the ring 116-112 is too wide a win for his fighter.

What are we saying?

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Joe Cordina, speaking to DAZN: "It wasn't a case of hard fight, he's tricky and clever. I didn't really have to work hard for it. Don't make excuses, you lost the fight, end of story. Going into the 10th, Tony [Sims, my coach] said to me, it's probably level. I wasn't at my best, but I did enough. It's boxing, there's judges round the ring for a reason."

Edward Vazquez, speaking to DAZN: "You know what, I have strong faith, God put me here for a reason. There's no coincidences. I'll be back. Everyone watching knows I won. They did it to me again. You know what it is, I'll be back.

"He wasn't able to do anything he wanted to do the entire fight. He had no power. This guy's got no power. This is probably his lost fight at 130lb."

Cordina: "If you can't beat me at my worst, then you've got no chance."

This is tasty. So often we see two fighters embrace post-fight. Not Joe Cordina and Edward Vazquez who bicker over the result during their post-fight interviews.

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Speaking in the ring, a fired-up Joe Cordina insists he felt he done enough to win. Edward Vazquez, as you might expect, disagrees. We'll bring you the full quotes shortly.

Now then. This will cause a bit of controversy. Joe Cordina edges it by a majority decision.

One judge scores it 114-114. The other two score it 116-112.

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There are some worried faces in the Joe Cordina camp. And rightly so.

All the talk before this fight was unification bouts or an all-British contest against Leigh Wood.

Was Cordina guilty of complacency? Or was Edward Vazquez just too good?

Time for the scorecards.

Barry Jones
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Vazquez has just nicked it.

Cordina starts the round well, backing Vazquez back with a jab and straight right.

But the challenger is undeterred - letting his hands go. Cordina lands to the head and body. Vazquez responds with a flush right.

Into the final minute and there's no relenting. It's back and forth. There is no stopping either man.

What. A. Fight.

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The all-important Championship rounds. This is what all the blood, sweat and tears in camp matters.

A right uppercut causes a slight cut above the left eye of Vazquez. But the American is once again getting the better of the exchanges.

Vazquez lands clean on Cordina's chin in the punch of the round.

Whatever happens, he has silenced any critics who questioned how he would fare at super-featherweight.

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Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

This could be five each this fight, or six four. It's very close.

Cordina lands with body shots, Vazquez responds with a solid right to the the head.

When Cordina works at mid range he finds more success but Vazquez once connects with the left when he closes the gap.

Both fighters exchange clean blows towards the round.

This is a brilliant fight for the neutral.

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Boxing coach Dave Coldwell: "I have Cordina a round down after nine."

Boxer Archie Sharp: "Got this level here so far."

Boxing writer Dan Rafael: "Cordina-Vazquez been a good, competitive fight so far through nine. Cordina slightly ahead on my card. Tony Bellew had it even."

Barry Jones
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think the body shots have slowed Joe Cordina down. I think fatigue is setting in.

Cordina is once again guilty of switching off as Vazquez starts the round well. The champion is doubling up his jab and at times looking flashy, but the pressure once again is coming from Vazquez, who lands with a flurry of punches.

Two more left hooks from the challenger land cleanly. This fight is still there for the taking for both men.

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Barry Jones
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

I would always tell Joe to move, but he doesn't know which way he wants to fight. One round he wants to fight and trade, if you do that then commit to it.

Vazquez listens to his corner and tries to close the gap but the Texan is tiring. He lacks the accuracy or pop to his punches from the earlier rounds.

Beautiful counter left from Cordina off the back foot, followed by a thunderous body shot to the ribs.

Vazquez does land a right hook of his own but Cordina comes back with another one-two which pierces Vazquez's guard.

Cordina, on the ropes, slips and slides Vazquez's combination.

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