Matchroom return to Monte Carlo’s world-famous casino for the first time in four years, and, for Joe Cordina, it is time to raise the stakes. 

That is because the big fights are calling. But first, there is business to attend to. 

Of course, no fight involving a world title belt is one to be sniffed at. Cordina’s IBF strap is a hand of aces in itself, and he and his team are ready to sweeten the pot. 

That requires a big performance against a man in Edward Vazquez who has little to lose. The IBF #9 is typically tough, game and will show no quit in pursuit of chasing his own world title dream. 

A split-decision defeat to Raymond Ford in 2022 is the only hiccup on his CV, a fight which in reality should have gone the way of Vazquez. 

Even Eddie Hearn, who of course promotes Ford, agreed. 

But it is this hardship that motivates Vazquez to succeed. He knows he can hang with the best in the world. Yes, boxing can be cruel, but it is that cruelty that would make a world title triumph even sweeter. 

Whilst he was the wrong side of the split that time, he has been the right side of two in his last three wins. Close fights? Sure. But this is a fighter who has been matched hard and well. 

He does, however, have only 3 stoppages in his 15 wins, hardly setting the world, or opponents, alight. 

The cards really are stacked against the Texan. 

In Cordina, he is facing a fighter all the better for his gruelling 12-round war with Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov last time out. 

It is those type of fights that can unravel a man, separating the chumps from the champions. 

There was never a question mark over Cordina’s ability, with his reputation as a slickster validated by his success as an amateur, and his effortless climb through the domestic ranks. 

He has an ace up his sleeve as well, one that Kenichi Ogawa knows all too well. 

But Cordina himself will tell you that until his fight with Tajik southpaw Rakhimov, he was yet to get out of first gear. It was on that occasion he showed a level of grit which cannot be taught. 

Now he will enter the ring on Saturday with a different aura. 

Not in himself, he has always carried the belief that he is destined for nothing less than greatness. However, now we have a fighter walking on air amongst his 130lb rivals. 

Unifications may have so far proven a busted flush, but beyond Monte Carlo, there are mouth-watering fights that are to be made as the division moulds to form its number one. 

Cordina himself says a fight with WBO Emmanuel Navarette has him frothing at the mouth. He isn’t the only one. Navarette has a defence of his belt locked in for a fortnight’s time, as he fights Robson Conceicao, a former amateur foe of Cordina’s. 

WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster just last week fought a thrilling 12 rounds and retained his belt, stopping Rocky Hernandez with just 30 seconds left on the clock. He called directly for Cordina, who will no doubt spit back if he is to come through in Monte Carlo. 

It’s a spicy division, with both bangers and boxers who will no doubt deliver some epic fights down the line. Meanwhile, there is no time for mistakes. 

Oscar Bevis