Joe Cordina had been set to challenge for Abdullah Mason’s WBO lightweight world title next weekend, hoping to become a two-division world champion. However, the Welshman has been forced to withdraw from the contest.
22-year-old Mason became boxing’s youngest male world champion when he decisioned Sam Noakes back in November to capture the vacant WBO title at 135lbs. In his first defence, he signed to face another Brit in Cordina – a homecoming event in Cleveland, Ohio.
Since losing his IBF super-featherweight world title to Anthony Cacace, Cordina has boxed as a lightweight twice, outpointing Jaret Gonzalez and then heading stateside and overcoming Gabriel Flores Jr. in his U.S. debut.
At 34 years old, Cordina could have provided young Mason with a solid test, given his extensive professional experience and amateur pedigree. Yet, visa issues have intervened and Cordina has been forced to withdraw from his bid to become a two-division ruler, as first reported by Tha Boxing Voice and since confirmed by Ring Magazine.
Instead, fellow undefeated Ohioan Albert Bell is set to step up to the plate and face Mason, pulling out of a planned IBF eliminator against Andy Cruz which was scheduled to top the bill at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California in less than four weeks.
It remains to be seen whether an alternate opponent will be found for Cruz or if he will now be ordered for a rematch with IBF lightweight world champion Raymond Muratalla – which was the original prize for the victor of his match-up with Bell.
Diego Pacheco appears on that same July 18 card against Immanuwel Aleem, that fight could potentially become the new main event if Cruz does not have a replacement, with Pacheco having headlined at the same venue against Maciej Sulecki back in 2024.
