There’s another big world title fight taking place in Monte Carlo on Saturday night, as Britain’s Joe Cordina defends his IBF super featherweight title against the dangerous American Edward Vasquez. We’ve broken the fight down and given you our betting predictions.
Joe Cordina (16-0-0(9ko)) is without a doubt one of the most talented of all British boxers at the moment and up there with the best 130lb fighters in the world.
However, his career hasn’t been the stratospheric one that it perhaps should have been, with his fights consigned to a DAZN platform that many don’t have and the lack of a domestic rival that he could really have used to springboard his profile.
That could all change if he can get through this fight against the Texan Edward Vasquez (15-1-0(3ko)) on Saturday night, with a potential super-fight against Leigh Wood in the works, as well as other unification bouts at this weight class.
Not much is known about Vasquez, who fights out of Fort Worth but the 28-year-old has certainly talked a good game this week and has earnt this shot with a win over Panamanian Brayan De Gracia in July.
For the slick operator Cordina, Vasquez should just be a stepping stone to fights that will demonstrate just how good he really is.
Where and when is the fight taking place?
The fight is taking place at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Madecin in Monte Carlo on Saturday 4th November and the fight will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN in the UK.
The event is an Eddie Hearn promotion for Matchroom Boxing, with the show expected to start at 7pm and the main ring walk due to take place at around 10.15pm UK time.
What does the full fight card look like?
Joe Cordina vs Edward Vazquez – IBF World Super Featherweight Championship
Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Adrian Curiel Dominguez
Julissa Guzman vs Ramla Ali
Souleymane Cissokho vs Isias Lucero
(subject to change)
What are the fight odds?
The champion Cordina is a huge 1/16 favourite, with Vasquez a 7/1 shot to pull off a massive upset. The draw is available to back at 20/1.
What’s been said?
“He’s a good fighter, I’ve never once disrespected him. I’m not taking him lightly, I’m taking this very seriously.
This is a fight that’s gonna take care of my future and my kids future.
I know he’s willing to put it all on the line and I’m going to do the same too.
He’s ready to bring the heat but I’m ready to match him, it will take a special fighter to beat me”
Joe Cordina
“I feel like everyone has their time and this is my time, I’m here for a reason. I’ve been the challenger my whole life and I’ve always come out on top.
I’m gonna pull off this upset, I’m ready to hand over another Texas ass-whooping!
Every time I beat these guys that I’m supposed to lose to, they always have excuses, so I hope he’s 100% ready.
Come Saturday night, we’ll see who’s the best man”
Edward Vasquez
Joe Cordina to win on points – 11/10
This looks like being an excellent fight between two well-matched opponents and as much as I rate Cordina, the odds of 1/16 don’t appeal in the slightest in a two-horse race. Tyson Fury was 1/14 last week against the novice Francis Ngannou and look what happened there!
That said, I fully expect the ‘Welsh Wizard’ to win this one and win it comfortably which really gives us only one decision. Does Joe get the job done inside the 12 round distance or not?
Cordina showed his power against both Joshuah Hernandez and Kenichi Ogawa, stopping both men inside two rounds but has also shown he is happy to display patience and take the fight the full 12 rounds in seven of his 16 fights to date.
Vasquez has only lost once, never been stopped and looks like a hard, proud man full of belief. I think he will do enough to see the final bell here.
