Joe Cordina charged with assault and denied US visa for title bout
Welsh boxer Joe Cordina has been forced to withdraw from a world title fight in the United States after being charged with assault and denied a travel visa.
The 34-year-old is scheduled to appear before magistrates next month following an alleged incident outside a Cardiff petrol station on 27 February.
South Wales Police confirmed the former super-featherweight world champion faces charges of assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place.
Footage widely circulated on social media earlier this year appeared to show a confrontation involving the fighter and another man falling to the ground.
US visa denial forces fight withdrawal
The pending legal proceedings have directly impacted the Cardiff native’s career, leading to his removal from a scheduled WBO lightweight bout against Abdullah Mason in Cleveland on 4 July.
He was officially refused entry to the United States after visiting the US Embassy in London to secure his travel documentation.
“A couple of days back, I went to the US Embassy in London and they basically denied me a visa.”
“I tried to explain certain things and I had all the paperwork to back it up and they wasn’t having it.”
“It’s out of my hands and I’m absolutely gutted to become a three-time, two-weight world champion, plus fight for a world title in America was a goal of mine.”
Move to lightweight division derailed
The scheduled contest against Mason was meant to be a pivotal moment for the Welshman since moving up to the 135lb division.
He previously held the IBF super-featherweight title but lost the belt after suffering an eighth-round knockout defeat to Anthony Cacace two years ago.
Following that setback, the orthodox fighter had rebuilt his momentum by securing back-to-back victories over Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz and Gabriel Flores Jr.
Unbeaten American prospect Mason is now expected to face replacement opponent Albert Bell on the Cleveland card next weekend.
Meanwhile, a second man, 32-year-old Jamie O’Brien, has also been charged with assault in connection with the same Cardiff incident and will appear in court on 28 July.
