Shakur Stevenson Pulls Out of Joe Cordina Fight: Boxing Card Adjustments

BoxingNews
By Dev Rajan Singh

Shakur Stevenson Withdraws from Joe Cordina Fight: What’s Next?

In a recent development that has left fans disappointed, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has had to pull out of his highly anticipated bout against Wales’ Joe Cordina. The fight, scheduled for 12 October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was set to be Stevenson’s second defence of his lightweight title. However, following hand surgery, Stevenson has been forced to withdraw from the match, pushing his return to the ring to 2025.

Impact of Stevenson’s Withdrawal

Shakur Stevenson, an unbeaten three-weight world champion, was expected to face Joe Cordina on the undercard of a significant boxing event featuring the undisputed light-heavyweight world-title clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Stevenson, who holds an impeccable record of 22 fights with 10 knockouts, announced his withdrawal with a sense of frustration. On X, he stated, “Unfortunately my hand gave out on me but in 2025 let’s bounce back and take over boxing.”

This injury setback comes after Stevenson’s impressive victory over Artem Harutyunyan in July, where he defended his lightweight title for the first time. The timing of the withdrawal is particularly unfortunate given the momentum Stevenson has built in his career and the high expectations surrounding this bout.

Cordina’s Ambitious Move to Lightweight

Joe Cordina, the Welsh fighter who was preparing to step up to the lightweight division, was keenly anticipating this fight. Cordina, 32, had his unbeaten record and IBF super-featherweight title stripped away by Northern Ireland’s Anthony Cacace in May. This defeat marked the end of an impressive unbeaten streak and raised the stakes for his move to lightweight.

Cordina’s involvement in this fight was part of a broader card that included significant British boxing talent. The event, initially planned to feature Cordina’s step up in weight class, also included notable bouts such as Raven Chapman against WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicholson, and Jack Massey’s clash with IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

Revised Card and Future Prospects

With Stevenson’s withdrawal, the focus will now shift to the remaining fights on the card. Among them is the much-anticipated rematch between British heavyweight contenders Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke. Wardley, 29, will defend his British heavyweight title against Clarke, 33, after their first encounter ended in a split-decision draw in March. This rematch is expected to deliver high drama and a definitive outcome.

Additionally, Chris Eubank Jr will face Kamil Szeremeta in a middleweight bout, while light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker aims to extend his unbeaten record to nine victories against Liam Cameron. These bouts promise to offer significant excitement and maintain the high calibre of the event despite Stevenson’s absence.

Looking Ahead

For Shakur Stevenson, the road to recovery and eventual return to the ring will be closely monitored by boxing enthusiasts. Stevenson’s intention to “take over boxing” in 2025 highlights his commitment to returning stronger and continuing his rise in the sport. Meanwhile, Joe Cordina will need to adjust his plans and possibly seek other opportunities to regain his footing in the lightweight division.

The reshuffling of the fight card provides a silver lining for boxing fans, who will still witness an array of compelling matchups. The anticipation for the revised card remains high, and fans will be eager to see how the new alignments impact the world of boxing.

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