Joe Cordina v Gabriel Flores Jr: Welshman wins to move closer to two-weight world title dream

Joe Cordina has a chance to become a two-weight world champion after beating Gabriel Flores Jr. to a unanimous points victory in California.

Wales’ former IBF super featherweight belt holder Cordina outperformed her American opponent with the scores of 117-110, 115-112, 114-113.

The fight at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton has been billed as the final eliminator of the WBO lightweight world title won by Abdullah Mason in an epic encounter with Sam Noakes in November.

Cordina, 34, received a point for punching the rabbit in the sixth round but had more control than the judge’s cards suggested.

“I won, but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted,” Cordina said.

“You can’t come in and take the fight away from me. I kept applying pressure and pushing him to the ropes, but he couldn’t keep up the pace.”