Former IBF super-featherweight champion Joe Cordina was found not guilty of assault by beating at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, with District Judge Charlotte Murphy ruling that the Welsh fighter acted in proportionate self-defense during an altercation in August. The legal acquittal clears Cordina's schedule and opens the door for his targeted ring return on December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on the high-profile undercard of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua. Promoter Eddie Hearn reaffirmed that an official proposal has been submitted to eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao's camp for a welterweight co-feature bout, with Cordina's legal clearance removing the final obstacle to contract finalization. If Pacquiao's handlers decline, Cordina will pursue a postponed lightweight title eliminator against Sam Noakes.
