Joe Cordina (14-0.8 KOs) believes this Saturday’s challenge to Kenichi Ogawa will bring out the best in him.
The Welsh tennis player will have the home field advantage when he plays against the Japanese super featherweight to compete for the IBF world title at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.
Combination has yet to face someone of Ogawa’s caliber (26-1-1, 18 KOs) but the 30-year-old says that’s exactly what he needs.
“I understand him at a level that I have not yet judged on paper, but I don’t think he is boxed in to a great level beyond that. [Tevin] Farmer,” IBF candidate number three told Andi Purewal of Boxing Social.
“[Azunga] Fuzile I don’t think is world class,” he added. “Farmer, he lost that match (against Ogawa). He [Ogawa] won but he lost it and was drugged. We really can’t take too much from that. You can take what he did well and focus on that. He can punch hard; he has a good motive but I know he’s not doing well and I’m looking to exploit that overnight. ”
Author’s note: Ogawa tested positive for two forms of the banned substance Androstanediol following his split decision victory over Farmer in December 2017. Ogawa was stripped of his IBF title and banned for 12 months.
The skilled 30-year-old’s path to Saturday night is rarely bumpy but Cordina understands he will have to hit a dead end when facing Ogawa.
“I was hoping it would get tough and maybe bite into my gums and grind my teeth. This fight is where you will see the best of me. As the opposition gets sharper, I get better. I will be crowned the new world champion. Stay tuned as it will be fireworks. ”
