"Criminal Issue" Knocks Joe Cordina Out Of July 4th USA Title Fight

The planned July 4th Top Rank Boxing special Independence Day WBO lightweight world title fight in Cleveland, OH, between new champ and hometown hero, Abdullah Mason and challenger Joe Cordina of Wales is now off due to the challenger not being able to get into the USA.

And, the reason behind his visa denial is "eyebrow raising."

Insider Dan Rafael reported on his "Fight Freaks Unite" Substack overnight that according to a Top Rank official, Cordina was denied entry earlier this week due to a "criminal issue."

So, the promotion has now elevated unbeaten Ohio fighter Albert Bell to fight Mason in the title main event that will stream on DAZN and is the first of a new series of fights on TNT Sports linear channel.

First, back to Cordina.

Rafael wrote,

"Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told Fight Freaks Unite on Wednesday that the company was notified on Monday night that Cordina (19-1, 9 KOs), 34, of Wales, was denied a visa to travel to the United States.

“Apparently, a criminal issue serious enough to deny entry,” Moretti said, although he did not have any specifics about what the issue was. Cordina promoter Matchroom Boxing did not respond to a request for the details."

“We are disappointed about the denial of Cordina’s visa at this late stage,” Moretti continued. “Obviously, this was something that wasn’t expected or foreseen.”

The 34 year old, Cordina, 19-1, 9 KOs, was the IBF junior lightweight titleholder from 2022-24 making two defenses. He had posted on social media earlier this week about the the situation saying,

"There’s no injuries,” Cordina said. “I’ve had a great camp. I was meant to fly over this week. Couple of days back I went to the U.S. embassy in London and they basically denied me a visa. 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.' So, it’s out of my hands. I’m gutted because it’s my chance to become a three-time, two-weight world champion plus fight for a world title in America, which was a goal of mine. Absolutely gutted.”

Ironically, whatever the "criminal matter" is, it either hadn't happened before Cordina flew to California last December and beat hometown contender Gabriel Flories by decision to secure a potential WBO lightweight title shot, or it wasn't an issue for his visa/travel.

Now, it is.

And, we'll wait for further clarification on what the criminal accusation and problem is, as well.

As for the switch in the main event, Mason, who's 22 years old and 20-0, 17 KOs, will now make his first world title defense against Bell. He's 28-0, 9 KOs against mostly non-noteworthy opponents.

The 33 year old Bell was to have fought former Cuban Gold Medalist Andy Cruz on a Matchroom Boxing card on July 18th. Now, with him elevated, So, Cruz's promoter, Matchroom Boxing, are looking for a lightweight replacement opponent for Cruz fight later in July.

Mason has been a rising star and won his title with a hard fought decision win over England's Sam Noakes last November in Saudi Arabia and he was the favorite to beat the veteran Cordina in the hometown defense.

Now, he'll be an even bigger favorite after the opponent switch.