Stevenson withdrew after suffering a hand injury during training and underwent surgery. The cancellation cost Cordina a world title fight through no fault of his own, but Matchroom then needed nearly nine months to get him back into the ring.
Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz was a reasonable opponent for his lightweight return in July 2025. Coming back against a limited fighter made sense after the Cacace defeat, the Stevenson cancellation and more than a year outside the ring. The mistake was giving Cordina a second rebuilding fight five months later. Gabriel Flores Jr. carried a higher ranking and a recognizable name, but he presented little danger to a boxer with Cordina’s championship experience. One tune up should have been enough.
After defeating Flores by unanimous decision on December 13, Cordina became the WBO’s No. 1 lightweight contender. He then waited nearly seven months for a title fight against Abdullah Mason in Cleveland.
That date was lost when the United States embassy refused Cordina’s visa application. He had been charged following an alleged February incident in Cardiff and later pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault by beating. Cordina maintains that he acted in self defence, and his trial is scheduled for October 13.
The Stevenson cancellation was beyond Cordina’s control. The Mason situation cannot be treated in quite the same way. Whatever the trial ultimately decides, circumstances involving Cordina resulted in the visa refusal and removed him from the biggest fight available to him.
Matchroom should already have placed him on a UK card against a respectable lightweight, but Cordina also carries responsibility for demanding an active schedule. A 34 year old former champion cannot passively protect a No. 1 ranking while months of his career disappear. Even a 10 round bout would have kept him active and shown that he intended to remain a serious lightweight contender.
Since Cacace stopped him in May 2024, Cordina has fought only twice, and neither opponent showed how he would perform against a leading lightweight. His world championship experience means he does not require an extended rebuilding process.
Neither title fight took place, but the long periods surrounding them were avoidable. At 34, Cordina needs meaningful opposition, not another year spent waiting.
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