“work hard, dedicate yourself and sacrifice”

from Style of the city Magazine, Issue 20

Joseph’s Smile

What does a normal day look like for you as a professional boxer?

I train up in Essex so at the start of the week on Monday I’ll travel from Cardiff to Essex, and I’ll lead straight into pads or sparring. On Tuesdays I’m up at 6am ready for our morning run at 7am. We have five or six different runs; we change it up every week. They’re tough, intense and fast paced and then in the afternoon we'll do a pad session as well as circuit training. Saturday is a slower run, 6 or 7 miles and then a strength and conditioning session. I have Sundays completely off when I’ll maybe go to church and spend time with family.

How did you keep motivated after losing your belt the first time around?

This is quite easy for me because I've got three kids that I have to provide for and to keep our family going. When it gets tough, I only have to think about them and it gives me a push and a boost. When I lost the title last year it was mainly them that kept me motivated.

What has been your biggest inspiration?

My kids, my mother, my father as well as my trainer, Tony. He’s a great guy. I want to obviously provide for my family and make them proud. But I also want to make my trainer proud. He’s put a lot of time and effort into getting me to where I am, so it’s not only my close family it’s also for him too.

Did you do anything different regarding training for the rematch?

I wouldn't say different, but we took it up a notch. And there were times when I asked myself “is this really what I want to be doing?” and stuff like that. But like I said, when it gets tough, I’ve only got to think about my children and that gives me an extra boost to get through. It was definitely taken up a level – longer rounds, more rounds. It was tough!

How did you manage the pressure that surrounded the fight?

I didn't really think about it until the last week. It was when Eddie (Hern) said that “Welsh boxing is on your shoulders and if I don't win this, they're not coming back to Cardiff any time soon.” Who have they got to take over? For me, that’s when it sank in and the pressure was on.

All eyes are back on Cardiff boxing now, what advice would you give to anyone pursuing a professional sporting career?

I always say to people – if you can work hard, dedicate yourself and sacrifice certain things in your life that potentially are going to slow you down. Sometimes it’s the small percentages you’re missing out on but the small percentages can take you to where you need to be. I always say the difference for me is the sacrifice and I believe that's what has got me to where I am today.

Joe Cordina

Who would you say is the best legendary boxer?

For me and this is just my opinion because everyone's got different opinions when it comes to who's the best, it’s “Sugar” Ray Leonard. He’s done it all; boxed every style, won multiple titles. He could box, he could do close-ups, go backwards he could do it all.

Are you going to be pursuing your “brand” now following this huge win?

Of course, it always becomes part and parcel of it as you step up. There are going to be big brands that are going to be coming knocking on the door wanting to do certain things but first and foremost I want to build my brand - and that's Joe Cordina Welsh Wizard. I think now it's a good time. I’m a two-time world champion and it's a good time and a good place to start.

What can we expect now from Joe Cordina?

I want to unify titles. I want to get more belts, more big nights and put my name up in lights. America, UK and globally; I want to bring big nights of boxing back to Cardiff and to give younger fighters the opportunity to showcase their talent. To become a ‘Welsh British Legend’ all around the world.

Wales and Cardiff are behind you now, but it’s been almost a ‘Rocky’ story hasn’t it?

When you look at it because I’ve had quite a lot of setbacks, in my career. When we're getting to where we need to get to and then all of a sudden there’s a knockback; it’s hard. I believe everything happens for a reason and certain things are put in place for a reason. One door closes another one opens, and this is what's happened in my case.

How do you juggle being a world champion with being a husband and a dad?

It is hard, to get to where I am and to provide for my family, I must sacrifice certain things, and one of those things is family time, which absolutely kills me. I have almost missed the births of 2 of my kids, my wife's birthday, and anniversaries.

I told my wife at the start of our relationship, ‘don't try and come in-between me and the boxing!’ because I was a kid and I had goals of going to the Olympics. We were young as well, just 16 and you don’t ever expect to be with someone for 15-16 years down the line when you first meet them. If it wasn't for my wife Lauren as well as the hard work I put in, I probably wouldn't be where I am. My wife has helped me keep sane at certain points, helped me when I've been down, lifted me back up. It’s been a team effort.

What would you say to a young Joe Cordina? What do you know for sure at this moment in time?

Take care of your finances and when you start making money as a teenager, save every bit whilst you're living at home with your parents. Invest your money wisely and look to build an empire.

Interview – Rosie Harris and Joe Cordina