No Fear from Cardiff: Joe Cordina Will Travel to Challenge Abdullah Mason

A Statement Win in Stockton

Joe Cordina’s victory over Gabriel Flores Jr. on Saturday night at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California, was more than just another win on his record. It was a statement performance, delivered on hostile ground, at a moment when his career demanded clarity and momentum. Cordina outworked and outclassed Flores in his opponent’s hometown, emerging with a decisive win that immediately reshaped his future at lightweight.

The result improved Cordina’s professional record to 19-1 (9 KOs) and marked his most significant step yet since moving up from super featherweight. More importantly, it positioned the Welshman as a leading contender for a world title shot and brought him directly into the conversation surrounding WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason.

Targeting Abdullah Mason

Following the Flores fight, Cordina made his intentions clear: he wants Abdullah Mason, and he is willing to go wherever that fight makes the most sense—even Cleveland, Ohio, Mason’s home territory. For Cordina, location is irrelevant. Opportunity is everything.

Cordina is widely expected to become the WBO’s No.1 contender, putting him on a direct collision course with Mason. The matchup represents a classic crossroads fight: Mason, the young and undefeated champion with momentum and hype, against Cordina, the experienced former world champion seeking to define his legacy in a second weight class.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn wasted little time framing the bout as one fans want to see. He emphasized that performances like Cordina’s against Flores are exactly what open doors to major fights. In Hearn’s view, once audiences imagine Cordina across the ring from Mason, the appeal becomes obvious.

A Willingness to Fight on Enemy Soil

Cordina’s readiness to travel to Cleveland fits neatly into the tradition he admires most in British boxing. Fighters like Joe Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis, and Ricky Hatton did not wait for American stars to come to them. They crossed the Atlantic, fought elite opponents on their home turf, and returned with defining victories.

Now 34 years old, Cordina sees 2026 as the window to achieve something similar. He has been open about chasing a major fight with a top American name for years, and Mason represents exactly that. For Cordina, the challenge is not just about a belt; it is about proving himself on the sport’s biggest stage.

Winning away from home, as he did against Flores, only strengthens his case. According to Hearn, beating an opponent in his own backyard carries more weight and earns greater respect. Cordina’s ability to do just that in a high-pressure eliminator elevated the significance of the win.

A Career Hanging in the Balance

Despite his past accomplishments, Cordina entered the Flores fight with his back against the wall. Hearn admitted candidly that the stakes could not have been higher. A loss would have left Cordina in a “terrible position,” threatening his relevance at world level.

Cordina himself echoed that sentiment. He questioned where he could go if he could not beat a fighter like Flores, acknowledging that stepping back to domestic-level bouts was not an option after winning world titles. In that sense, the fight was less about rankings and more about survival.

The urgency showed in Cordina’s performance. He fought with intensity, discipline, and control, even if he was personally critical of aspects of his showing afterward. From the outside, however, it was a clear demonstration that he still belongs among the elite.

The Missed Opportunity with Shakur Stevenson

Cordina’s road to this point has not been straightforward. He was previously scheduled to face Shakur Stevenson, a bout that would have immediately placed him in the sport’s brightest spotlight. When Stevenson suffered an injury, the fight collapsed, leaving Cordina without the marquee opponent he had been preparing for.

That disappointment now fuels his pursuit of Mason. Rather than waiting indefinitely for another opportunity to arise, Cordina is actively targeting what he believes can be his career-defining moment. Mason, with a world title and growing profile, represents the kind of challenge that can reshape narratives overnight.

Legacy, Motivation, and What Comes Next

Cordina has been open about his mindset at this stage of his career. While he acknowledges that he has ambitions beyond boxing, his current focus is singular: becoming a three-time, two-division world champion. A win over Mason would not only achieve that goal but would also cement his place among the standout British fighters of his era.

Looking ahead, Cordina wants his next fight to be for a world title. Whether that comes against Mason or the winner of the upcoming IBF lightweight title clash between Raymond Muratalla and Andy Cruz remains uncertain. Cordina understands that boxing politics and timing often dictate outcomes, but he has made his preference clear.

“That fight might not happen next,” he admitted, “but I would like for it to happen next.”

A Defining Chapter Still to Be Written

Joe Cordina’s journey has reached a pivotal chapter. The win over Gabriel Flores Jr. was not just a comeback or a tune-up—it was a declaration of intent. By openly welcoming the idea of traveling to Cleveland to face Abdullah Mason, Cordina has drawn a line under any doubts about his ambition.

Whether the fight materializes immediately or further twists await, one thing is clear: Cordina is no longer content with rebuilding quietly. He wants the biggest challenges, the toughest environments, and the fights that define careers. If that path leads to Cleveland and a showdown with Abdullah Mason, Cordina is ready to take it.