By Gareth James
Joe Cordina has admitted he was below par in defence of his world title, but still too good for Edward Vazquez.
Cordina retained his IBF super-featherweight title with a majority decision win over Vazquez in Monte Carlo.
The Welsh star, 31, had been stripped of the belt last year because of injury, but regained it after taking a hard-fought split-decision win over Shavkat Rakhimov in Cardiff.
Joe Cordina beats Edward Vazquez!
The Welshman defends his IBF super-featherweight title by winning via majority decision in Monte Carlo 🥊#BBCBoxing pic.twitter.com/NBBWPTfrSr
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) November 4, 2023
Cordina won 114-114, 116-112 and 116-112 on the judges’ cards to extend his undefeated record to 17 fights.
“He’s tricky and he’s clever,” Cordina said afterwards.
“I had to track him down and work him out. Going into the 10th, my trainer told me it was level. I didn’t box to my best, but I still think I did enough to win. There are no marks on my face, but there are marks on his.
“Nothing was happening so I felt like I had to ignite something. I’ve seen him fight, he’s awkward. He’s better than I thought. I’m happy. I got a win against a good fighter with a bad performance.”
“I didn’t perform to my best, and he couldn’t beat me on my worst night, and he’s a sore loser.”
WOW Joe Cordina vs. Edward Vazquez WAS A WAR A EPIC BATTLE Joe Cordina WINS A MAJORITY DECISION IN A VERY CLOSE FIGHT WOW – CINEMATIC WARMODE pic.twitter.com/rUlD90En99
— TUCKER WORLD 85 (@tuckerworld85) November 4, 2023
Vazquez flicked his middle finger after he heard the judges’ scores and insisted he deserved to get the decision.
“I will be back,” he said. “Everyone watching around the world knows I won. [Matchroom promoter] Eddie Hearn knows I won.
“He wasn’t able to do what he wanted to, he had no power, he couldn’t land his right hand or left hook, and all the others at 130 pounds will walk through him.”
In the early exchanges at the Casino de Monte Carlo on Saturday night, Vazquez looked to stay inside using quick combinations.
Cordina, though, started to find his own range and was soon more comfortable against the American as he landed several body shots and remained patient as he looked to use his jab to keep Vazquez at a safe distance.
We sat down with @BarryHearn to talk about the challenges and the ever changing landscape of world boxing (Part 1) 📺📷 #Boxing #BoxingNews #Showtime #America pic.twitter.com/9ZapjOHs5Y
— Fightlens (@FightLens) November 3, 2023
The Welshman landed a strong uppercut as his momentum continued before Vazquez again recovered ground with some solid counters of his own in the fifth.
Cordina seemed content to work his jab between body and head to try to control the pace of the contest heading into the closing stages.
Although Vazquez, who was slightly cut above his left eye in the 11th round, went on the offensive in the final round, neither man was able to find a finish within the distance.
The Cardiff fighter is now expected to look towards a showdown with WBC title holder O’Shaquie Foster or an all-British clash with Leigh Wood, who is set to step up a division following victory over Josh Warrington and relinquish his WBA title.
'Is that the biggest loss?' @BarryHearn chatting to us about the loses in Boxing and learning from it 🫡🥊 @fightlens#Boxing #BoxingNews #Hearn pic.twitter.com/AxYH4HxArW
— Fightlens (@FightLens) November 2, 2023