JAKARTA Joe Cordina defended the IBF super featherweight title after winning absolute points over Edward Vazquez in Monte Carlo, Sunday, November 5, 2023.
Cordina was given a draw by jury Jeremy Hayes 114-114, while the other two judges Deon Djarte and Jean Robert Laine compactly gave 116-112.
This victory also extended Cordina's unbeaten record to 17 fights.
"It wasn't my best performance, but it still worked [beat him]. I wasn't hurt at all," said the 31-year-old Wales fighter, reported by Sky Sport.
"He's better than I thought. I'm happy. I won against a good fighter with a bad performance," added Cordina.
Cordina's belt was previously stripped last year of injury. However, he managed to reclaim it after winning a separate decision on Shakkat Rakhimov at Cardiff.
Vazquez started the fight against Cordina by trying to stay afloat using a quick combination.
However, Joe Cordina found the distance of the nest and immediately felt more comfortable after landing several attacks on his opponent's body.
He also looks patient when he wants to hit a jab to keep his distance safe with Vazquez.
Cordina then found the opportunity to land a powerful blow before Vazquez returned to his position with several solid counter-attacks in the fifth round.
In the final rounds, Cordina looked satisfied after attacking the jab between the opponent's body and head to try to control the rhythm of the match.
Even so, Vazquez, who received a few injuries to his left eye in the 11th round, still attacked in the last round.
Joe Cordina is expected to play against WBC O'Shaquie Foster or a battle among England boxers with Leigh Wood, who will advance to division after winning over Josh Warrington and releasing his WBA title.
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