TWO-TIME IBF super-featherweight belt holder Joe Cordina is hoping to get a shot at becoming a two-division champ when he takes on Gabriel Flores Jr at lightweight.
It’s the Welshman’s Stateside professional debut, with the winner in line to go toe-to toe with Abdullah Mason for his WBO belt. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Joe Cordina celebrating after beating Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz for the WBO Global Lightweight Title in Manchester on July 5, 2025Credit: Getty
Gabriel Flores Jr is on a six-fight win streakCredit: Getty
Joe “The Welsh Wizard” Cordina believes his experience will prove decisive against Gabriel Flores Jr.
The former Commonwealth champion was due to take on Shakur Stevenson in October 2024, before the American was forced to pull out due to injury, meaning Cordina has only fought once in the past 18 months.
Facing local hero Gabriel Flores Jr, who also goes by “The Stockton King” and is on a six-fight win streak, the Welshman is confident he can silence the home crowd.
He told The Ring: [His recent form] could give him a little bit of confidence, [but they’re] nowhere near the level I’ve been at or as good as me.
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“When the first punch is thrown, he’ll soon realise it’s a different calibre in there with him.
“He could say the same about me, but I’ve been at the level he’s lost at, and I’ve been there a long time. We’ll see on the night.”
He continued: “It’s a change in scenery for me over in America – I don’t mind.
“I’ve seen him fight before against Luis Alberto Lopez, so I’ve got a little bit of an idea how to beat him, it may have changed a little bit.
“Sometimes when things become difficult, they revert to what they know.
“I think if I get on top of him, he’s going to have a hard night.”
He added: “I’m not getting any younger, I’m 34, I need to rack them up. Everything I wanted to do in the sport I’ve done. I’ve ticked them all off.
“Now I’ve got to set more goals, otherwise there’s no ambition there. It’s solely to become a two-weight world champion and secure my family and that’s all there is to it.”
Cordina is currently ranked sixth by the WBC, while Flores Jr is in fourth place.
The American has been the busier of the two fighters, with a record of 27 wins, two losses and no draws.
I think if I get on top of him, he’s going to have a hard night
Joe Cordina,
His knockout ratio stands at 30 per cent, and despite his two losses, he has never been knocked out.
While Cordina’s record currently stands at 18 wins, one loss and zero draws, stopping nine of his opponents, giving him a knockout ratio of 50 per cent.
When is Gabriel Flores Jr vs Joe Cordina?
Gabriel Flores Jr faces off against Joe Cordina on Saturday (or early on Sunday morning in the UK), December 13, 2025, at the Stockton Arena, California.
The main card starts at 1am on Sunday GMT (Saturday, 8pm US).
Ringwalks for the bout expected around 3am (10pm US).
Fight night posterCredit: Refer to source
What TV channel is Gabriel Flores Jr vs Joe Cordina on?
The full card streams live on DAZN globally.
It is also available for streaming via the DAZN app and website
All the fights on the night are available via a regular DAZN subscription – there are no extra fees.
What is the full fight card?
The stacked card for the night is as follows:
- Diego Pacheco vs Kevin Lele Sadjo, WBC silver super middleweight title and WBO International title, 12 rounds
- Gabriel Flores Jr. vs Joe Cordina, WBO lightweight eliminator, 12 rounds
- Skye Nicolson vs Yuliahn Luna, for vacant WBC women’s interim super bantamweight title, 10 rounds
- Ernesto “Tito” Mercado vs Antonio Moran, super lightweight, 10 rounds
- Arturo Cardenas vs Cesar Vaca, super bantamweight, 10 rounds
- Cheavon Clarke vs Anthony Hollaway, cruiserweight, eight rounds
- Sachery Sam vs Brandon Medina, featherweight, six rounds
- Cesar Olvera vs Victor Saravia, lightweight, four rounds
