Joe Cordina (14-0, 8 KOs) believes taking on the challenge of Kenichi Ogawa this Saturday will bring out the best in him.
The Welshman will have the home advantage when he fights the Japanese super featherweight for the IBF world title at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.
Cordina has yet to face someone of Ogawa’s (26-1-1, 18 KOs) calibre but the 30-year-old says that is exactly what he needs.
“I understand he’s a level I haven’t boxed at on paper, but I don’t think he’s boxed at a great level apart from [Tevin] Farmer,” the IBF number three contender told Boxing Social’s Andi Purewal.
“[Azunga] Fuzile I don’t think is world level,” he added. “Farmer, he lost that fight (against Ogawa). He [Ogawa] got the win but he lost it and got done for drugs. We can’t really take too much from that. You can take what he’s done well and focus on that. He can punch hard; he’s got a good engine but I know what he don’t do well and I’m looking to exploit that on the night.”
Writer’s note: Ogawa tested positive for two forms of banned substance Androstanediol following his split decision win over Farmer in December 2017. Ogawa was stripped of his IBF title and banned for 12 months.
The path to Saturday night for the highly skilled 30-year-old has rarely been troubled but Cordina understands he will have to get into the deep end when he faces Ogawa.
“I’m expecting it to get tough and to bite down on my gumshield and grit my teeth. This fight is where you’ll see the best of me. As the opposition gets tougher, I get better. I will be crowned new world champion. Tune in because it’s going to be fireworks.”