British boxer Joe Cordina, 34, has been charged in connection with an alleged incident outside Pentwyn Service Station in Cardiff on February 27, 2026. The former super-featherweight world champion is also out of a scheduled WBO lightweight title fight in the United States after his visa was denied.
Charges and Court Appearance
South Wales Police confirmed that Cordina, from Pontprennau, faces charges of assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place. He is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 7. A second man, Jamie O’Brien, 32, from Pentwyn, has been charged with assault and will appear in court on July 28.
In a statement, a police spokesperson said: "Joseph Cordina, 34, from Pontprennau, has been charged with assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place. He is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 7."
Title Fight Scrapped Due to Visa Issue
Cordina was due to face Abdullah Mason in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 4 for the WBO lightweight title. However, he announced his withdrawal after being denied a visa to enter the United States. Rumours that he had pulled out due to an injury were dismissed by the boxer.
Taking to Instagram, Cordina explained: "Just to let everyone know that I'm not going to fight. It's not injuries, I've seen a lot of [reports] saying injuries, but there's no injuries. I've had a great camp. I was meant to fly over this week. A couple of days back, I went to the US Embassy in London and they basically denied me a visa."
He added: "I tried to explain certain things and I had all the paperwork to back it up and they wasn't having it. They basically told me, 'you ain't getting in.' It's out of my hands and I'm absolutely gutted to become a three-time, two-weight world champion, plus fight for a world title in America was a goal of mine. Feel bad for Abdullah, but obviously myself as well."
Impact on Career
Cordina, a Welsh boxer, previously held the IBF super-featherweight world title. The visa denial and legal charges cast uncertainty over his future in the sport. The July 4 fight would have been his first attempt at a lightweight world title.
