EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Hearn labels Joe Cordina the ‘best 130lbs fighter on the planet’ but claims the Welshman ‘must stay focused’ to beat Edward Vazquez in Monte Carlo

• Eddie Hearn has labelled Joe Cordina as the ‘best 130lbs fighter on the planet’
• He will defend his IBF super featherweight title against Vazquez on Saturday
• Listen to Mail Sport’s new boxing podcast THE HOOK – with exclusive interviews 

Eddie Hearn has labelled Joe Cordina as the ‘best 130lbs fighter on the planet’ ahead of his fight with Edward Vazquez at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin on Saturday night. 

Hearn says Vazquez will be a ‘really tough opponent’ but backs the 31-year-old Welshman to defend his IBF super featherweight world title against the American boxer. 

But, Hearn says Cordina – who trains alongside John Ryder and Conor Benn under the watchful eye of Tony Sims – must stay focused on the job at hand or there could be an upset in Monaco. 

Hearn made reference to Tyson Fury’s fight with Francis Ngannou, saying Cordina could underperform if he starts thinking about future bouts with the likes of Leigh Wood and O’Shaquie Foster. 

The Matchroom promoter feels Tyson may have been too focused on his undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk, causing him to under perform against former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou.  

Eddie Hearn has labelled Joe Cordina as the ‘best 130lbs fighter on the planet’ ahead of his fight with Edward Vazquez at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin on Saturday night

Hearn says Vazquez will be a ‘really tough opponent’ but backs the 31-year-old Welshman to defend his IBF super featherweight world title against the American boxer

Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport, Hearn said: ‘Joe is the favourite heading into the fight. But, there are a lot of Texan and Mexican fans that think Edward Vazquez is going to upset the odds. 

‘For me, Joe Cordina is the best 130lbs fighter on the planet. It’s more about being switched on. Everyone is talking about [O’Shaquie] Foster vs Cordina or Leigh Wood vs Cordina and as you saw on Saturday, if you talk about a fight that’s upcoming rather than focusing on what’s in front of you, it because a tougher task. 

‘So, as long as Joe is switched on and he’s prepared well and he’s ready I believe he comes through on Saturday. But I do think it will be a tough fight.

‘Vazquez’s going to be really tough, he’s going to try until the very end. So, Joe has to be really tough or he has to take him out. Again, Vazquez hasn’t boxed at the level of Joe Cordina. Maybe his power can translate at that level again. 

‘He’s going to come forwards all night. Joe is going to have to sting him and hurt him to discourage him. He’s a very tough kid that is desperate to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion, there will be not quitting from Vazquez on Saturday.’ 

Hearn went on to speak about the renowned Casino de Monte Carlo venue which will be hosting this weekend’s fight. 

The Matchroom promoter said: ‘It’s strange surroundings as well in Monaco. It’s like a dinner show times 1000. There is royalty there. It’s a tuxedo affair. 

‘There is only 300 people in this incredible Casino room with chandeliers. Obviously Joe is used to walking out at the Millennium stadium or the Cardiff Arena and having all that noise. 

‘So he’s really got to tuned in and up for this moment. Vazquez will be. He’s so hungry. You only have to look at his Instagram and he’s talking about his father’s in his corner and this is his life long dream. It’s going to be a tough fight for Joe.’

A post shared by Joe Cordina (@joecordina_91)

Hearn went on to share his opinion on the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou fight, saying the Gypsy King ‘lost’ his high-profile clash with the former UFC heavyweight champion

Hearn went on to share his opinion on the Fury vs Ngannou fight, saying the Gypsy King ‘lost’ his high-profile clash with the former UFC heavyweight champion and shared his views on the fight with Mail Sport’s podcast ‘The Hook’.

Hearn said: ‘Before the fight I gave Francis Ngannou zero chance of winning, like, on paper it’s just the most terrible mismatch.

‘A guy who has never had a professional boxing match. And I think there was definitely an element of Tyson looking through him, he wasn’t as well prepared as he should have been, but it was still an awful performance.

‘I feel a bit for Oleksandr Usyk because the Fury-Uysk fight is massively devalued to the point that Francis Ngannou should get his rematch,’ he added. ‘I felt (Ngannou) won the fight. When the final bell went, my gut feeling was he’s got this.’ 

Hearn went on to add: ‘Fury looked scared in the back end of the fight. Every time they got in a clinch, he looked like he was getting flung around.

‘It was a difficult fight in that no one really did a lot in the back end but – but because [Ngannou] dropped him and because he won those early two rounds, for me, he won the fight.

‘When the final bell went, I went “oh my God, he’s lost.” Everyone was messaging me saying “Fury’s just lost, Fury’s just lost”. And then, of course, it went to final score cards and he won.

‘Most people’s reaction was that Ngannou won the fight. I can’t believe it. Fury looked like the guy who’s never boxed before. It was amazing.’

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