Abdullah Mason Gets New Opponent As Albert Bell Steps In For July 4 Title Fight

“Just to let everyone know that I’m not going to fight,” said Cordina. “It’s not injuries, I’ve seen a lot of [reports] saying injuries, but there’s no injuries. I’ve had a great camp. I was meant to fly over this week.”

The former two-time IBF super featherweight champion said he recently attended an appointment at the US Embassy in London but was denied entry despite bringing supporting documentation.

“A couple of days back, I went to the US Embassy in London and they basically denied me a visa,” said Cordina. “I tried to explain certain things and I had all the paperwork to back it up and they wasn’t having it. They basically told me, ‘you ain’t getting in.’”

“It’s out of my hands, and I’m absolutely gutted to become a three-time, two-weight world champion, plus fight for a world title in America, was a goal of mine.”

With Cordina out, Bell, 28-0 (9 KOs), has agreed to step in on short notice for his first world title opportunity. The Toledo native had been preparing for an IBF lightweight title eliminator against Andy Cruz on July 18 before receiving the call to face Mason.

Bell enters the fight ranked No. 6 by the WBO and will now challenge Mason, 20-0 (17 KOs), in an all-Ohio matchup. Mason won the WBO lightweight title in November with a victory over Sam Noakes and will be making the first defense of his championship in front of his hometown fans.

Bell’s move leaves Cruz without an opponent for the July 18 eliminator. Promoters are reportedly searching for a replacement opponent for the Cuban contender, with the winner expected to move into position for a shot at IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla.