By Paul Jones

Joe Cordina claimed the IBF super-featherweight title in his home town of Cardiff with a one-punch, second-round knockout to unseat Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa.

Welsh favourite Cordina thrilled the Motorpoint Arena crowd with a devastating right-hand finish, to storm to his first world title.

The 30-year-old underwent major hand surgery in 2019, raising concerns on his potential future punching power.

But the Cardiff native showed all the muscle and timing possible, to stun Ogawa and claim the belt.

“It is a lifetime of work gone into five-and-a-half minutes of work; I’m just so thankful,” said Cordina.

“I’ve been throwing some big punches in this camp, we’ve been working hard in the gym.

“We’ve been working on that punch all camp and it’s an amazing feeling when you put hours and hours into it and it comes off, in the fight and it’s lights out.”

 

JOE CORDINA JUST DID THAT 👀#OgawaCordina pic.twitter.com/OXsBcqgqVe

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 4, 2022

The opening round was a cagey affair as both fighters tried to assert their authority early on.

Cordina opted to do it with his accurate jab, while Ogawa preferred outright aggression to get ahead.

The fight would take a similar theme for the remainder of the rounds, but that logic quickly disappeared moments into the second session.

With a more patient approach, Cordina kept his distance, and when he noticed Ogawa’s chin was exposed, he unleashed the punch of his career that was an instant show closer.

The Japanese star, a widely respected world champion, did all he could to beat the count, but there was no way he could regain his senses as the referee counted him out.