Welsh boxer Joe Cordina has been forced to withdraw from his WBO lightweight title fight against Abdullah Mason after the United States embassy in London denied his visa application. The 34-year-old announced the news on Instagram, expressing his devastation at missing the opportunity to become a three-time, two-weight world champion.
Visa denial details
Cordina, a former super-featherweight world champion, had been scheduled to face Mason in Cleveland on Saturday, July 4. He stated that he had a great training camp and no injuries, contrary to some reports. 'A couple of days back, I went to the US Embassy in London and they basically denied me a visa,' Cordina said. '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.''
The Welshman had planned to fly to the US next week for final preparations. He described the setback as 'absolutely gutting,' adding that fighting for a world title in America was a personal goal.
Career setbacks
This is not the first major disruption for Cordina. In 2022, he was stripped of his IBF 130lbs title due to injury, which prevented a mandatory defence against Shavkat Rakhimov. He regained the belt in 2023 by outpointing Rakhimov over 12 rounds. The 2016 Olympian lost that title to Anthony Cacace in 2024, his only professional defeat. Since then, he beat Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz to claim the vacant WBO global lightweight title.
Mason, who won the WBO lightweight title by beating Britain's Sam Noakes on points in November, is now reportedly set to face Albert Bell instead.
Cordina expressed sympathy for Mason but emphasised his own disappointment. 'Feel bad for Abdullah, but obviously myself as well,' he said.
