Boxer Joe Cordina Acted on Instinct in Petrol Station Altercation, Court Hears
Two-time world champion faces assault charges after February incident outside Cardiff garage.
Former world champion boxer Joe Cordina told a court he was acting on instinct when he punched Jamie O'Brien outside a petrol station in February, Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard. Cordina, a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion, faces charges of assault by beating.
The court was presented with CCTV footage of the altercation at a Texaco garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff. The footage showed Cordina, who had been filling up his Land Rover, approaching O'Brien, who was sitting on the pavement. O'Brien then pushed Cordina with his shoulder, prompting Cordina to punch him to the ground.
Social media footage of the incident also appeared to show a man in a pink hoodie barging into another man exiting a store, who then assumed a fighting stance and delivered several punches. Both Cordina and O'Brien were arrested following the incident.
Alex Orndal, prosecuting, stated that it was the Crown's case that Cordina initiated the confrontation and that O'Brien did not present a threat, having had his hands in his pockets. The court heard that the men continued to exchange blows, and at one point, O'Brien was restrained by another individual. Orndal argued that Cordina then moved around the restraining person and delivered a further punch, suggesting Cordina's actions went beyond lawful self-defense. Cordina's defense contended that he struck O'Brien because he felt threatened and later acted out of instinct due to O'Brien's actions.
O'Brien pleaded guilty to assaulting Cordina and was ordered to pay court costs and a surcharge. Cordina has pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault by beating.
The trial is ongoing. The incident comes after Cordina was unable to fight for the WBO lightweight title in the United States on July 4 due to his US visa being refused. Cordina, who holds a 19-1 professional record, announced in June that his visa application had been denied by the US embassy in London, leading to the cancellation of his bout against Abdullah Mason.
Cordina represented Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal, and secured a gold medal at the 2015 European Championships. He also competed for Team GB at the 2016 Olympics.