Joe Cordina ruled out of world title defence in Abu Dhabi after hand injury

Joe Cordina's title defence against Shavkat Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi is off after the super-featherweight champion suffered a hand injury.

The bout was one of three championship bouts announced for November 5 at Etihad Arena, where light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol headlines against mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

The unbeaten Cordina, 15-0 as a professional, has reportedly been stripped of his IBF title, with No 1-ranked contender Rakhimov now expected to take on No 2 Zelfa Barrett for the vacant belt. That fight has yet to be confirmed. ESPN were the first to report the news of Cordina’s injury.

In a social media post on Tuesday morning, Welsh Olympian Cordina posted a picture of his heavily stitched hand and wrote: “Absolutely gutted. Worked my whole life to become a world champion and I haven’t even had the chance to defend the title. Feel like I’ve been robbed.”

The November 5 event in Abu Dhabi represents the first in the recently announced agreement between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and renowned promotion Matchroom Boxing. Entitled the “Champions Series”, it marks Abu Dhabi’s move into hosting major boxing events.

Other than Bivol-Ramirez, Matchroom have confirmed the card will include a championship bout between WBC and IBF women’s junior welterweight title-holder Chantelle Cameron and undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill.

Undefeated light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, left, is putting his title on the line against Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez at Etihad Arena on November 5. All images by Victor Besa / The National