Joe Cordina makes the first defence of his IBF super-featherweight title when he takes on Edward Vazquez on Saturday, 4th November - here's everything you need to know ahead of the bout.

The two-time 130lbs king won the IBF title with a split-decision victory over Shavkat Rakhimov in April. 

That was a belt that the Welshman had previously won against Kenichi Ogawa in 2022, but he was subsequently stripped of the crown after a hand injury forced him out of a planned clash with Rakhimov. 

The 31-year-old extended his professional record to 16 wins from 16 bouts with victory over the Tajikistani in Cardiff earlier this year and the Cardiff man is one of the most gifted fighters in Britain. 

The IBF super-featherweight king is a red-hot favourite to see off the challenge of Vazquez.  

The American is a decent fighter, but the 28-year-old was beaten by Raymond Ford in 2021 and the Texas puncher is the big outsider.
 

Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez: All You Need To Know

Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez date

The fight will take place on Saturday, 4th November, 2023.
 

Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez time

The main card is expected to kick off at 19:00. 

The feature event between Joe Cordina and Edward Vazquez is scheduled for 20:00, although exact times will depend on the duration of previous undercard bouts.
 

Where is Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez?

The contest will take place at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin in Monte Carlo, Monaco. It’s a grand venue that has played host to Concerts, Galas and big-fight nights.

Dmity Bivol, Scott Quigg and Alexander Besputin are among the world champions to have fought at the Monte Carlo setting and promoter Eddie Hearn has held many shows in the glamorous location.
 

How to watch Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez?

The fight will be shown live on subscription streaming service DAZN. 

The bout will be available in over 200 countries and can be viewed on a myriad of devices.
 

Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez odds & favourite

Cordina is the red-hot 1/12 favourite and the 31-year-old is expected to maintain his unbeaten record. 

The Welshman was sent off a 4/11 for his clash with Rakhimov earlier this year and that suggests that Vazquez will not pose as many problems as the Tajikistani. 

The Texas tussler is a huge 7/1 shot to cause a huge upset in Monte Carlo and even the most optimistic punters may struggle to make a case for the 28-year-olds.

Are there any belts on the line for Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez?

The IBF super-featherweight strap is on the line in Monte Carlo. Cordina is the defending champion having beaten Rakhimov last time out. Cordina previously held the title, but was stripped of the crown after a hand injury prevented the Welshman from making his first defence against Tajikistani in November.

Vazquez won the vacant IBF Inter-Continental featherweight title last time out, and although that belt is not up for grabs, it did put the 28-year-old in pole position for a crack at the world title.
 

Joe Cordina’s profile & record

16-0 (9 KOs)

Cordina is a technically-gifted fighter and the Welsh Wizard took his opportunity to shine when knocking out Ogawa to claim the IBF super-featherweight title last June. The 31-year-old has worked his way from small hall shows to world level and the Cardiff puncher is unbeaten in 16 professional contests.

Cordina captured the Commonwealth lightweight title when beating Sean Dodd in 2018, before going on to land the British crown when tacking Andy Townend in 2019.

The Welsh Wizard made the step-up to world level, when challenging Ogawa for his IBF super-featherweight belt last year, and the 31-year-old showed that he is a top-class performer with a stunning knockout victory. 

That was followed by April split-decision victory over Rakhimov and Cordina will no doubt be looking to unify the division in the near future.
 

Edward Vazquez’s profile & record

15-1 (3 KOs)

Vazquez has lost one of his 16 professional contests and that came against the highly-rated Ford last year. Kid has good wins over Brayan de Gracia and Viktor Slavinskyi on his card, but his record is a little short of world level and there is little punch power from the Texan.

Only three of the 28-year-old’s 15 victories have come by stoppage.
 

Joe Cordina v Edward Vazquez undercard

Joe Cordina v Edward Vasquez	IBF super-featherweight title
Sivenathi Nontshinga v Adrian Dominguez	IBF light-flyweight title