Wednesday 30 August 2017 10:24, UK
Joe Cordina is excited by the prospect of Anthony Joshua fighting in Cardiff and hopes to get on the undercard if it comes to fruition.
Rio Olympian Cordina, 25, refuses to overlook Jamie Speight, the two-time Southern Area champion who he faces as part of the NXTGEN series at London's York Hall this Friday, live on Sky Sports, but the prospect of a bout in his homeland excites him.
The fight against Speight will be the super-featherweight's fourth in the paid ranks and Cordina wants to continue progressing and taking on tougher opponents with each fight.
Although nothing is yet finalised, it is likely that unified heavyweight world champion Joshua's next fight will take place in Cardiff's Principality Stadium and 'The Welsh Wizard' Cordina is eagerly awaiting confirmation.
"From what I've seen in the media, it is likely that 'AJ' will fight in the Principality in Cardiff and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting," Cordina exclusively told Sky Sports.
"If Cardiff does get the go-ahead, I will be trying to get on that card straight away. First though, I have a job to do on Friday and that is my main focus.
"It's good to get the new season underway and it is time to start making a statement, I'm just taking things one fight at a time.
"Jamie Speight has been around and I've seen plenty of him, he's a very good fighter who takes on big tests and he has come through a lot of them.
Now it's time to step up and progress against fighters who come to win. People will see a different Joe Cordina when that happens.
"This is a big step up for myself, he's had experience but so have I. I've had 180 odd amateur fights with 120 of those at the highest, world level. I'm more than capable of beating him, but he won't be a pushover."
The Cardiff fighter admits that it has been a struggle to find game opponents to take him on early on in his career, but Cordina is assured that he will perform better as he moves up the ranks.
"So far, a couple of my opponents have been very last minute because people didn't want to take it," he said. "Fighters with winning records just didn't fancy it or pull out, so guys have to come in as replacements.
"Now it's time to step up and progress against fighters who come to win. People will see a different Joe Cordina when that happens.
"Every fight, we go in with a gameplan and certain things we need to do. My trainer [Tony] Sims is the mastermind behind it all."
Live coverage of the NXTGEN bill, featuring Joshua Buatsi, Lawrence Okolie, Joe Cordina and Conor Benn, will start at 7.45pm on Friday on Sky Sports Action.
