The fight brings together two promotional lanes. Mason is with Top Rank, which recently secured a broadcast deal with DAZN. Cordina has long been tied to Matchroom Boxing, also aligned with DAZN, which has helped smooth talks for the matchup.
Cordina, 34, has been rebuilding since losing his IBF belt to Anthony Cacace in May 2024. He has since moved up to lightweight and recorded wins over Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz and Gabriel Flores Jr., working with trainer Gary Lockett.
The WBO ranking of Joe Cordina at #1 is definitely has caused criticism among fans who look at the lightweight landscape. The killers Cordina is currently sitting above; Alan Chaves and William Zepeda are arguably the most avoided fighters in the division right now.
When one looks at the mechanics of this, it feels like a classic mix of name recognition and strategic business.
Cordina’s recent win over Gabriel Flores Jr. on December 12, 2025, was for the WBO International lightweight title. In the world of sanctioning bodies, winning one of their regional or international belts is a fast track to a top ranking, regardless of whether the opponent was a world-class threat.
With Top Rank moving to DAZN, it makes sense for all parties involved to have a recognizable name for Abdullah Mason’s homecoming. Cordina has the British market and a championship resume that looks good on a poster, even if his recent activity at 135 lbs is thin.
The Argentinian Chaves is currently ranked #2 and Zepeda is at #3. Both are younger, arguably fresher, and far more dangerous in terms of pure punching power at this weight.
It feels to some fans like Cordina’s ranking and title shot is more of a business move designed to facilitate a specific event. By ranking Cordina #1, the WBO makes Mason vs. Cordina a mandatory-level fight, which protects Mason from having to fight a high-risk/low-reward monster like Zepeda or Chaves in his very first defense.
It gives Mason a chance to look like a superstar in Cleveland against a former world champion, while providing Cordina a massive payday and a shortcut back to the top. If Cordina gets caught early by a young phenom like Mason, the WBO can simply move on to the next challenger, having cashed their sanctioning fees for a big July 4th event.
Talks for Mason vs. Cordina had been in motion since early April and are now close to being finalized for the Independence Day card.
Sam Noakes, who Mason beat for the title, returned to action on Sunday and stopped Benito Sanchez Garcia inside two rounds.
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