Former IBF 130-lb champion Cordina, 34, is set to fight Mason in Cleveland. Abdullah has 180 days from when he won the WBO belt last November to defend against his obligation.
The promoters for Abdullah, Top Rank, have not said if they have anyone else in mind for him to fight. He is coming off a grueling 12-round unanimous decision against Sam Noakes on November 22nd.
Going from that tough battle to one that could be just as tough is risky for the 21-year-old Mason. It will be up to Top Rank if they want to put their fighter through another potentially tough fight.
Hearn Pushes for Mason vs Cordina Title Fight
“He fought in Cleveland in April. But why not fight Joe in April?” said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn to the media ear wants Abdullah Mason to fight his new WBO mandatory Joe Cordina next. “We don’t want a fight in between because that’s the problem now.
Hearn doesn’t have many options for Cordina. He’s 34, and he’s not young enough to work himself into position to fight for any of the other titles. He had a tough time beating Flores last November, and he’s not a big puncher.
Hearn outlines possible alternatives
“He (Cordina) is not interested in just a tap fight. He wants to go straight into a big fight,” Hearn said. “Listen, we have Andy Cruz fighting Muratalla on January 24th. I believe Andy Cruz will win that fight. Maybe he (Cordina) fights Andy. Maybe we’ll bring that fight to Cardiff.”
It will be tough for Cordina to fight 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz for the IBF lightweight belt when he dethrones Raymond Muratalla on January 24. He is too hard to hit. Mason is more findable and is better suited to Cordina’s sneaky fighting style.
“You’ve got Abdullah Mason too. There’s a couple of other champions. But all he wants is big fights to become a three-time, two-division champion. That’s a big legacy. To win a world title is a big legacy. And to do it twice is even better in two divisions,” Hearn said.
Cordina is already the WBO mandatory for Mason’s belt. So that would be the logical direction to go as he is going to get a shot at the belt or be elevated if Abdullah chooses to vacate.
