CORDINA VS VAZQUEZ: Saturday 04 November 2023
WHO IS BOXING?
On Saturday 04 November 2023, live from Monaco, Joe Cordina (16-0) defends his IBF World Super Featherweight crown against Edward Vazquez(15-1). The event is being held at the Monte Carlo casino, and features a second IBF world championship match on the undercard between Nontshinga (12-0) and Adrian Dominguez (23-4-1).
Welshman Cordina is a two-time Super Featherweight Champion who recaptured his belts in a Split Decision victory over Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in Cardiff back in April. Cordina previously held the Super Featherweight title in 2021 after he defeated Kenichi Ogawa, but Cordina was forced to vacate his championship following a hand injury. The bout in Monaco will be his first world championship defence. Joe Cordina has also fought previously in Monaco. In 2019 at the Monte Carlo casino, he defeated Mario Tinoco via Unanimous Decision to move to 11-0.
Edward Vazquez is stepping up for his first world title opportunity. Vazquez has won his last four bouts on points, picking up the IBF Inter-Continental Featherweight Championship in his last contest when he defeated Brayan De Gracia on 29 July 2023. His lone defeat is a split decision loss to Raymond Ford, who is highly touted in the featherweight division and awaiting a shot at the belt.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE BUILD-UP TO CORDINA VS VAZQUEZ?
There was a cheeky event reveal from Matchroom involving Eddie Hearn and Joe Cordina, that I’ve included below. Cordina was originally spoken about facing WBC Super Featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster in a unification bout, but talks quickly cooled. Eddie Hearn had previously spoken about Cordina not being able to have a mega-fight, as he did in Cardiff, every time he boxes. So the decision to box outside of the UK and choose opposition of less notoriety seems to stem from Matchroom’s decision to have a lower tier fight on purpose, perhaps in the hope of a big UK contest next year should Cordina defeat Vazquez.
WHO IS THE FAVOURITE FOR CORDINA VS VAZQUEZ?
Joe Cordina is the heavy favourite for the fight, with it appearing to be a formality. Vazquez is likely to pose a threat on points rather than immediate stopping power, as only 3 of his 15 wins have come via KO. Cordina on the other hand has both knockdown and knockout power, with 9 of his 16 wins coming by KO.
WHERE IS CORDINA VS VAZQUEZ BEING HELD?
Cordina vs Vazquez is being held at the Monte Carlo casino in the principality of Monaco. This is the first boxing show held at the Monte Carlo casino since it was used for a Tuesday night show in 2021.
The last significant show at the Monte Carlo was back in 2019, the same card that featured Cordina vs Tinoco. Zhilei Zhang was in action that night, as was Cecilia Braekhus. The main event saw Alexander Besputin capture the WBA World Welterweight title defeating Radzhab Butaev on points, but was later stripped of the belt having failed an anti-doping test.
You can register for priority tickets for the event from Matchroom via the link below:
Monte Carlo Tickets (marketing-pages.com)
WHEN DOES CORDINA VS VAZQUEZ START?
Cordina vs Vasquez starts at 7:00 p.m on Saturday 04 November 2023. It airs on DAZN.
HOW CAN I WATCH CORDINA VS VAZQUEZ?
Cordina vs Vazquez is exclusive to DAZN in the UK.
DAZN is a sports streaming platform available online, through satellite television, and as an app. It can be found on Sky on channel 429. DAZN offers 3 levels of subscription options, ranging from £99 per calendar year for it’s Annual Super Saver, £9.99 per month for a calendar year, to £19.99 for a contract-free monthly subscription. It also has PPV’s in addition to the subscription. You can subscribe via the link below:
https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/home
WHO ELSE IS FIGHTING ON THE UNDERCARD FOR CORDINA VS VAZQUEZ?
Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Adrian Dominguez – IBF World Flyweight Championship
Julissa Guzman vs Ramla Ali – IBF Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight Championship
Souleymane Cissokho vs Isaias Lucero – WBC Silver Super Welterweight Championship
ANY HIGHLIGHTS ON THE UNDERCARD?
Julissa Guzman vs Ramla Ali II. Ramla Ali (8-1) headed into the first bout as the favourite against Guzman (13-2-2), and Ali was expected to make easy work of Guzman. During her first appearance on the main broadcast, having previously featured exclusively on Before the Bell, Ali was knocked down twice and suffered her first defeat. The second and final knockdown hit hard, and until now represents the best knockout of the year in women’s boxing. The first bout took place on 17 June 2023, but has Ramla Ali improved enough to take down Guzman at the second attempt?
There’s also a second world title fight, with Nontshinga (12-0) heavily favoured to beat Adrian Dominguez (23-4-1), and extend his reign as IBF Flyweight Champion.