Joe Cordina offered as possible Manny Pacquiao opponent for Fury-Joshua undercard

Promoter Hearn has named the Welshman among four Matchroom fighters put forward to face Pacquiao, in a contest that would be at 147lbs, though he said he has not yet discussed the weight with Cordina.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 1 Oct, 21:07 UK · Updated Thu 1 Oct, 21:15 UK · AI-assisted reporting

cordina for pacquiao graphic — Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Joe Cordina is one of four Matchroom fighters promoter Hearn has offered as an opponent for Manny Pacquiao on the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury undercard. Hearn said: “I also said to Turki last night, if you need an opponent for Manny Pacquiao, we’ve got Jack Catterall, Conah Walker, Lewis Crocker and Joe Cordina.” The fight would be at 147lbs, BoxingScene reported, which makes Cordina the only one of the four not currently boxing at welterweight. The 34-year-old Welshman, a former world titleholder at 130lbs, has fought at lightweight in his recent bouts. Pacquiao, a Hall of Famer, is 47.

Hearn, Joshua's longtime promoter and one of the three promoters of Fury-Joshua, said he had not spoken to Cordina about moving up to 147lbs. He said he knew 140lbs would be fine for Cordina and suggested that Pacquiao is not a big welterweight.

BoxingScene's Lance Pugmire had reported that Pacquiao was in talks to face WBO 140lbs champion Shakur Stevenson, before event organisers Sela turned their attention to retired champions Amir Khan and Danny Garcia. Hearn said he understood there was some kind of agreement between Pacquiao and Sela, but not for a Stevenson fight, which he said Dana White had ruled out.

Cordina has also been put forward to Sela for a fight with WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason on the card. That bout was scrapped in July when Cordina was denied a visa to the US, and Hearn said it could still happen. He said: “But I want Joe on the card because he’s a two-time world champion from Wales. And if he fights Abdullah Mason or Manny Pacquiao, that’s a great fight. Or Sam Noakes for a vacant title.”