Boxer Joe Cordina Punched Man in 'Retaliation,' Court Hears

Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina was "retaliating" when he punched a man to the ground during an altercation at a petrol station, a court heard. Cordina is currently on trial, facing two counts of assault related to an incident on February 27 involving Jamie O'Brien, who has already admitted to a charge of assault.

The altercation came to light several days after it occurred when a video of the incident was published online. The court was told that O'Brien's sister had informed the police that her brother had expressed a strong dislike for Cordina and may have deliberately sought him out.

CCTV footage, which captured the confrontation lasting several minutes, was presented in Cardiff Magistrates' Court. The video showed Cordina filling his car when he approached O'Brien, who was standing on the pavement nearby. According to prosecutor Alex Orndal, O'Brien initiated the physical contact by pushing Cordina with his shoulder. Cordina then responded by punching O'Brien with enough force to knock him to the ground, after which he pushed him multiple times.

Orndal argued that Cordina initiated the confrontation and was not acting in self-defense but rather in retaliation. The court heard that O'Brien then displayed aggression, lunging at Cordina as the boxer raised a golf club, leading to an exchange of blows. After O'Brien was restrained and no longer posed a threat, Cordina delivered another punch.

During a police interview, Cordina denied the charges, stating that after being shoved, he felt threatened and acted instinctively due to O'Brien's actions. Cordina's defense barrister, Tom Crowther, informed the court that family members identified O'Brien from the circulating video and had raised concerns about his behavior.