Wednesday 4 July 2018 14:41, UK
Joe Cordina is ready to meet Sean 'Masher' Dodd in deep waters in his bid to be crowned the Commonwealth lightweight champion.
Cardiff star Cordina will face the former holder, Dodd, for the vacant strap, when they headline the NXTGEN bill in his home town, on August 4, live on Sky Sports.
I know I am going to be fit enough so if he thinks he is going to take me into deep waters and try and take me out, that's not going to happen because I am going to be there all the way
Cordina (7-0-KO6) admits that 'Masher' (15-3-1-KO3) will be the biggest step up in his fledgling professional career and, even though he has not gone beyond four rounds, he is prepared to go into unknown territory, if required.
"Masher is proven. He's won a Commonwealth title and the WBC International. He's won domestic titles and he's beaten some very good fighters. He's definitely my toughest opponent to date," Cordina exclusively told Sky Sports.
"[But] it's nothing I haven't already been in with before.
"I had 180-odd amateur fights, boxed Olympic champions, beat Olympic medalists and was the European champion. And with those 180-odd fights, he is not going to bring anything that's different to what I've seen.
"It is a pro ring and this is a 12-rounder, but I am training for 12 rounds. I am not training to try and bomb him out. I am not saying I won't, but I am training alongside the likes of Ricky Burns, Conor Benn, Martin J Ward and John Ryder, guys that have done the 12 rounds.
"I know I am going to be fit enough, so if he thinks he is going to take me into deep waters and try and take me out, that's not going to happen, because I am going to be there all the way.
"I've got a lot of heart and he'll know that and you'll see it on the night. I've got a good skillset to go along with that."
Cordina will be fighting in Cardiff for the third time in the last 10 months, topping the NXTGEN card at the Ice Arena, matching Rio 2016 team-mates Lawrence Okolie and Josh Kelly, who have headlined cards close to home this year.
The 26-year-old has boxed on Anthony Joshua's undercards at the iconic Millennium Stadium, but with Lee Selby losing his featherweight world title in March, he is looking forward to stepping into the spotlight.
"It means everything to me," he said. "My last two fights have been in Cardiff and my third is for a big domestic title against a great fighter in 'Masher' Dodd and to win a Commonwealth title in my home town would be great.
"I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that title stays in Cardiff.
"This is what I need, especially in my home town. I need to show and give everybody a performance so they can see how good I am and they will get behind me. Not just Cardiff, but the whole of Wales."
Watch Joe Cordina against Sean 'Masher' Dodd, for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title, on NXTGEN, live from the Ice Arena, Cardiff, August 4, live on Sky Sports.
