Joe Cordina has agreed terms to face Manny Pacquiao on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua in Cardiff, just days after being found not guilty of assault. The Welsh boxer is ready to move on with his career after the court case ended earlier this week.
Agreement reached but fight not guaranteed
Eddie Hearn confirmed on Thursday that an agreement had been reached with Cordina over his purse for a potential showdown with the 47-year-old Filipino legend, although the fight is not yet guaranteed to happen.
"We've agreed terms to fight Manny Pacquiao, but we don't know if that's happening," Hearn told media. "But from our side, we've agreed to do it."
Cordina's career and recent setbacks
Cardiff-born Cordina (19-1, 9 KOs) is a former two-time junior lightweight world champion who has suffered just one defeat as a professional, losing by eighth-round knockout to Anthony Cacace in 2024. The 34-year-old has since moved up to lightweight, recording two victories last year.
He had been scheduled to face Abdullah Mason in July but was denied a visa to enter the United States because of an assault charge. He has since been cleared of the allegations.
Pacquiao's return and the Cardiff event
A fight with Pacquiao would represent a major opportunity for Cordina, particularly if it takes place in his home city on what could be one of the biggest boxing cards ever staged. Tickets for Fury v Joshua sold out in just one hour, with the December 11 event set to be one of the biggest nights boxing has known.
Pacquiao, a former eight-division world champion, returned to the ring in July last year after a four-year absence, drawing with then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The 47-year-old had been expected to rematch Floyd Mayweather Jr in September, but the proposed bout failed to materialise.
