Joe Cordina pleads not guilty to charges of assault by beating as former world champion denied US visa for Abdullah Mason fight
Joe Cordina was set to fight Abdullah Mason in the United States on July 4 but his visa application was refused; he was charged with assault in June but has pleaded not guilty
Tuesday 28 July 2026 14:21, UK
Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina has denied assaulting another man.
Cordina, 34, a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault by beating.
South Wales Police previously said the charges relate to an incident outside Pentwyn Service Station in Cardiff on February 27 this year.
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During the brief hearing, Cordina appeared in the dock alongside Jamie O'Brien, 32, from Pentwyn, who has also been charged with assault in connection with the incident.
The court previously heard the offences the two men are charged with are alleged to be "against each other".
On Tuesday, Nadeem Majid, representing Cordina, said the second charge of assault he faces "emanates from one continued incident".
O'Brien did not enter a plea during the hearing.
District Judge Charlotte Murphy set a trial date for Cordina of October 13.
She said: "You've pleaded not guilty to two offences, which means there's going to be a trial.
"Until then, I grant you unconditional bail."
Cordina was due to fight for the WBO lightweight title against Abdullah Mason in the United States on July 4, however, his application for a US visa was refused.
