Facing Pacquiao in Cardiff would be honour for Cordina

Former IBF super-featherweight champion Joe Cordina says the opportunity to fight Manny Pacquiao would "be an honour".The proposed bout, for which negotiations are at an advanced stage, would be on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury fight in Cordina's home city of Cardiff on 11 December.The 34-year-old, who was recently cleared of assault charges, hopes a fight against one of boxing's all-time greats would help "skyrocket" his career."In 100 years' time, world titles will still be there - a legend like Manny Pacquiao will never come again," Cordina told BBC Sport Wales."For me to share the ring with him would be unbelievable for me, he's someone I grew up watching before I was even boxing."Pacquiao, 47, has not fought since July 2025, having returned from his second attempt at retirement.The Filipino icon is a 12-time world champion across eight different weights."He's done everything in the sport," added Cordina. "He's getting on, but he still showed that he can compete with the best."If it happens it's unbelievable for me and it's a dream come true, I've always wanted those big fights and big names."The Welshman however insists he would not be overawed if the fight goes ahead."I've not got it twisted. I'm not going to go in there and be shy, be starstruck by Manny Pacquia," the two-time world champion said."But this potentially could change my whole life and skyrocket me to the moon. It's a massive opportunity."Earlier this week, Cordina was cleared of assault charges following an incident outside a petrol station in Pentwyn, Cardiff, in February.The former Olympian was set to fight American Mason for the WBO lightweight title in Cleveland in July, but was denied a visa after being charged.Having been cleared of all charges, Cordina confirmed he will not be pursuing litigation for loss of earnings."It took a toll on me, my family and obviously financially it hit me quite hard because I lost out on a fight through it," said Cordina."I knew when it got down to the nitty-gritty that the evidence that was there and I knew that outcome would be the case."I was assaulted - all I did was defend myself."Even though I knew that potentially it was going to go the way it went, it's always in the back of your mind," Cordina added."Subconsciously you're thinking about it and then sometimes you might have a little bit of anxiety thinking that way."Then that little bit of anxiety will determine how you're acting or how you're behaving or how you are."Being around my kids I might be snappy and with my wife and whatever else, but I don't mean to."It's just because there's some things that are going on in my head and unfortunately for me I lost the chance of winning another world title – my third world title in two different weights."Cordina insists the incident will not change how he interacts with members of the public."I get noticed maybe five or six times a day, sometimes people call me over, people want photos," Cordina added."I'm in the public eye and I believe part and parcel of what I do is being involved with people, interacting with people and interacting with the public."Some people might be having a bad day and just that little chat might make their day so, I wouldn't do anything different."