[{"text_idx": "#000001", "text": "It wouldn\u2019t be a stretch to say that Joe Cordina is already one of the greats of Welsh boxing, but for the former Olympian, there\u2019s something missing. Ahead of his upcoming fight, Cordina is desperate to win back the WBF super-featherweight belt that he should never have lost."}, {"text_idx": "#000003", "text": "The boxer from Cardiff became Wales\u2019 13th world champion after he beat Japan\u2019s Kenichi Ogawa with a stunning second round knockout back in June 2022. He threw the punch of a lifetime to join the history books alongside the likes of his heroes, Sugar Ray Leanard, Nassim Hamid, Chris Eubank and Floyd Mayweather, as world champion."}, {"text_idx": "#000004", "text": "Cordina had then been due to defend his belt against his current opponent, Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, in November 2022, but the Welsh boxer was forced to have surgery on his injured hand that October, a month before the title fight."}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "After what has been a tough period for the boxer, he hopes now is his time to rewrite the past. Unbeaten in 15 professional fights and with nine knockouts, the Welsh Wizard is aiming to set the record straight and win back the belt that he believes is rightfully his. In a twist of fate, he will fight none other than Rakhimov in his home city of Cardiff on April 22."}, {"text_idx": "#000006", "text": "On his opponent, Cordina said: \u201cHe\u2019s the champion but I\u2019m going in there confident. I have the experience of being a world champion; I haven\u2019t lost my belts in the ring."}, {"text_idx": "#000007", "text": "\u201cTo a lot of people, I\u2019m still a champion, but I\u2019ll have to be on my A game. I think I can out box him easily. If I do land on him, which I think I will, then there\u2019s always a possibility I can get him out of there."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "\u201cI\u2019ve seen other fighters hurt him; JoJo Diaz (Joseph Diaz Jnr) caused him issues with body shots. I can punch and when I\u2019m landing, I\u2019m going to hurt you, so I definitely have the tools to win this fight."}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "\u201cThere\u2019s a huge amount of respect there, he\u2019s got himself into a world champion title position and then he ended up fighting for a vacant title."}, {"text_idx": "#000010", "text": "\u201cHe\u2019s a good fighter; he\u2019s tough, strong, and fit. But I\u2019ve always said you have to have a little bit more than that to beat me."}, {"text_idx": "#000011", "text": "\u201cYou\u2019ve got to have a little bit of everything. And I haven\u2019t seen him show me that he\u2019s got a very good boxing brain."}, {"text_idx": "#000012", "text": "\u201cThe greats of the sport are at the top of their sport because they use their brain; they don\u2019t try and stand toe to toe whenever they\u2019re with someone that\u2019s physically stronger than them."}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "\u201cThey use their boxing ability and IQ to manoeuvre into a position so they can hit them and not be hit. And that\u2019s what I plan on doing on April 22.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000014", "text": "Luckily for Cordina, there haven\u2019t been any issues with his hand this time round as he prepares for his upcoming title fight."}, {"text_idx": "#000015", "text": "After he was forced to relinquish the IBF feather-weight belt following his hand injury back in October 2022, Cordina felt robbed. Having worked all his life to win a world title, Cordina describes seeing it all slip away in the blink of an eye while at a training camp."}, {"text_idx": "#000016", "text": "In his first sparring session, in the very first punch he threw, he knew something was wrong."}, {"text_idx": "#000017", "text": "\u201cI knew I\u2019d done something straightaway. I stepped back, clenched my fists, and I could feel something popping in my hand. I went straight to see a surgeon."}, {"text_idx": "#000018", "text": "\u201cI wasn\u2019t sure how long it would take to heal, and I didn\u2019t have the luxury of time on my hands. I wanted to get straight back out there, but I knew it would only get worse, or it would just happen again."}, {"text_idx": "#000019", "text": "\u201cThose few weeks I found myself in a pretty dark place. I wasn\u2019t sure what was going to happen next, whether I was going to continue boxing or have to get another job. I thought that could have been the end of my career."}, {"text_idx": "#000020", "text": "\u201cBut then I spoke to my dad and my wife, they have both been there throughout my career and have seen all the sacrifices that I\u2019ve gone through."}, {"text_idx": "#000021", "text": "\u201cWe knew it would take time and the progress would be frustrating, but this is what I love to do. It\u2019s why I get up in the morning, to look after my family.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000022", "text": "Cordina\u2019s aim has always been to bring the sport into Wales. He has certainly not disappointed so far and hopes to continue his professional streak into this Spring."}, {"text_idx": "#000023", "text": "\u201cI started on the same day as Anthony Joshua at GB so for me to see how he\u2019s progressed and what he\u2019s gone on to do... I fought on a few of his undercards, and I could see exactly what it takes. I want to give that opportunity to young fighters now."}, {"text_idx": "#000024", "text": "\u201cWinning the title brought back memories of the travelling back and forth to Sheffield, grafting day in and day out for team GB,\u201d the 31-year-old added. It was a huge moment for me, especially being in my hometown, on my doorstep, in front of my family and friends. It\u2019s something I will never forget.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000025", "text": "The boxer\u2019s journey has been immense, winning a bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Wales in Glasgow, before taking gold in the 2015 European Amateur Championships and representing Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics."}, {"text_idx": "#000026", "text": "Since turning professional, the Welsh boxer has made a huge impact. Cordina has probably seen it all but insists he\u2019s feeling better than ever as he and his coach, Tony Sims, look to devise a strategy ahead of his upcoming title fight."}, {"text_idx": "#000027", "text": "\u201cI\u2019m always trying to improve, always looking for that next level. My coach sets out my training programme and whatever he says, I do. He knows when to step the training up."}, {"text_idx": "#000028", "text": "\u201cHe\u2019s done it hundreds of times. He\u2019s trained world champions and he know how to get fighters ready for a world title fight. The camp has been unbelievable. I\u2019m enjoying my training at the moment; I\u2019m going to peak at the perfect time."}, {"text_idx": "#000029", "text": "\u201cSome people dread training every day. Don\u2019t get me wrong, I dread training it too, but at the same time, I\u2019m happy. I\u2019m happy with where I\u2019m at and I\u2019m happy with the progression I\u2019m making in the gym. I\u2019m in a good place."}, {"text_idx": "#000030", "text": "\u201cWhen I first went with Tony, I knew straight away he was someone I wanted to be with. He didn\u2019t let me punch a bag for a week, it was all shadowboxing, because he says that\u2019s how you see people\u2019s mistakes and see how they move away from someone."}, {"text_idx": "#000031", "text": "\u201cFrom my first fight, I\u2019ve progressed. I fought for the WBA title in my sixth fight. I\u2019ve progressed through to the British titles, the Commonwealth titles, and intercontinental titles to get where I am today."}, {"text_idx": "#000032", "text": "\u201cIt\u2019s been a long journey, but there is so much learning that you have to do. The step up to professional level is huge, but you have to keep improving. Everyone has their eyes on you and if you have one chink in your armour, you will be punished."}, {"text_idx": "#000033", "text": "\u201cI have still got more to learn as a boxer. I don\u2019t think there is a boxer that is perfect, there\u2019s always room for improvement.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000035", "text": "Mae Joe Cordina eisoes yn un o fawrion bocsio Cymru, ond i\u2019r cyn-Olympiad, mae \u2018na rywbeth ar goll. Cyn ei ornest sydd ar ddod, mae Cordina yn ysu am ennill yn o\u0302l y gwregys uwch bwysau plu\u2019r WBF nad yw\u2019n credu dylai fyth fod wedi\u2019i golli."}, {"text_idx": "#000036", "text": "Daeth y bocsiwr o Gaerdydd yn 13eg bencampwr y byd o Gymru ar o\u0302l iddo guro Kenichi Ogawa o Japan gydag ergyd loriol ail rownd syfrdanol yn o\u0302l ym mis Mehefin 2022. Canlyniad yr ergyd honno oedd iddo ymuno a\u0302\u2019r llyfrau hanes, ochr yn ochr a\u0302 phobl fel ei arwyr, Sugar Ray Leonard, Nassim Hamid, Chris Eubank a Floyd Mayweather, fel pencampwr y byd."}, {"text_idx": "#000037", "text": "Roedd Cordina wedyn i fod i amddiffyn ei wregys yn erbyn ei wrthwynebydd presennol, Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, ym mis Tachwedd 2022, ond bu\u2019n rhaid i\u2019r bocsiwr Cymreig gael llawdriniaeth ar ei law anafedig y mis Hydref hwnnw, fis cyn y gornest deitl."}, {"text_idx": "#000038", "text": "Cafodd y gwregys ei thynnu o Cordina ar o\u0302l iddi fod yn amlwg na fyddai\u2019n barod i ymladd mewn pryd. Cymerodd Rakhimov y gwregys IBF a oedd yn wag ar y pryd ar o\u0302l curo Zelfa Barrett ar is-gerdyn Dmitry Bivol a Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez ym mis Tachwedd, yr un noson yr oedd iddo fod ymladd yn erbyn Cordina."}, {"text_idx": "#000039", "text": "Ar o\u0302l yr hyn sydd wedi bod yn gyfnod anodd i\u2019r bocsiwr, mae\u2019n gobeithio mai nawr yw ei amser i ailysgrifennu\u2019r gorffennol. Yn ddiguro mewn 15 o ornestau proffesiynol a gyda naw ergyd loriol, mae\u2019r Dewin Cymreig yn anelu at gywiro\u2019i sefyllfa ac ennill y gwregys yn o\u0302l, y gwregys mae\u2019n credu sy\u2019n haeddiannol iddo. Ac mewn tro annisgwyl, bydd yn ymladd yn erbyn neb llai na Rakhimov yn ei ddinas enedigol, Caerdydd, ar Ebrill 22."}, {"text_idx": "#000040", "text": "O ran ei wrthwynebydd, dywedodd Cordina: \u201cFe yw\u2019r pencampwr ond dwi\u2019n mynd i mewn i\u2019r gornest yn hyderus. Mae gen i\u2019r profiad o fod yn bencampwr byd; dydw i heb golli unrhyw wregys yn y ring."}, {"text_idx": "#000041", "text": "\u201cI lot o bobl, dwi dal yn bencampwr, ond bydd rhaid i fi fod ar fy ngorau. Dwi\u2019n meddwl mod i\u2019n gallu ei drechu. Os ydw i\u2019n llwyddo glanio\u2019r ergyd iawn, a dwi\u2019n meddwl y byddaf, yna mae wastad posibilrwydd y gallaf ei drechu."}, {"text_idx": "#000042", "text": "\u201cRwyf wedi gweld bocswyr eraill yn ei frifo; achosodd JoJo Diaz (Joseph Diaz Jnr) broblemau iddo gydag ergydion corff. Dwi\u2019n gallu dyrnu a phan dwi\u2019n glanio ergyd, dwi\u2019n mynd i dy frifo di, felly mae\u2019n bendant gen i\u2019r offer i ennill y gornest hwn."}, {"text_idx": "#000043", "text": "\u201cMae llawer iawn o barch yno, mae wedi cyrraedd safle teitl pencampwr y byd ac yna gorffennodd e fyny mewn gornest am deitl gwag."}, {"text_idx": "#000044", "text": "\u201cMae\u2019n ymladdwr da; mae e\u2019n galed, yn gryf, ac yn ffit. Ond dwi wastad wedi dweud bod yn rhaid i chi gael ychydig bach mwy na hynny i\u2019m curo i."}, {"text_idx": "#000045", "text": "\u201cMae\u2019n rhaid i chi gael ychydig bach o bopeth. A dwi heb ei weld yn dangos i mi fod ganddo ymennydd bocsio da iawn."}, {"text_idx": "#000046", "text": "\u201cMae mawrion y gamp ar y brig gan eu bod yn defnyddio eu hymennydd; dydyn nhw ddim yn ceisio sefyll wyneb yn wyneb pryd bynnag maen nhw gyda rhywun sy\u2019n gryfach yn gorfforol na nhw."}, {"text_idx": "#000047", "text": "\u201cMaen nhw\u2019n defnyddio\u2019u gallu a deallusrwydd bocsio i symud i sefyllfa fel eu bod nhw\u2019n gallu taro eu gwrthwynebydd a pheidio cael eu taro\u2019u hunain. A dyna dwi\u2019n bwriadu ei wneud ar Ebrill 22.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000048", "text": "Yn ffodus i Cordina, ni fu unrhyw broblemau gyda\u2019i law y tro hwn wrth iddo baratoi ar gyfer ei ornest deitl sydd ar ddod."}, {"text_idx": "#000049", "text": "Ar o\u0302l iddo gael ei orfodi i ildio\u2019r gwregys pwysau plu IBF yn dilyn ei anaf i\u2019w law no\u0302l ym mis Hydref 2022, roedd Cordina yn teimlo fel bod popeth wedi cael eu dwyn oddi wrtho. Ar o\u0302l gweithio ar hyd ei oes i ennill teitl byd, mae Cordina\u2019n disgrifio gweld y cyfan yn llithro i ffwrdd mewn chwinciad pan oedd mewn gwersyll ymarfer."}, {"text_idx": "#000050", "text": "Yn ei sesiwn sbario gyntaf, yn y dyrniad cyntaf un a daflodd, roedd yn gwybod bod rhywbeth o\u2019i le."}, {"text_idx": "#000051", "text": "\u201cO\u2019n i\u2019n gwybod mod i wedi gwneud rhywbeth yn syth. Camais yn o\u0302l, gwasgu fy nyrnau, a gallwn deimlo rhywbeth yn popian yn fy llaw. Es i\u2019n syth i weld llawfeddyg."}, {"text_idx": "#000052", "text": "\u201cDoeddwn i ddim yn siw\u0302r pa mor hir fyddai\u2019n cymryd i wella, a doedd gen i lawer o amser. Roeddwn i eisiau mynd yn syth no\u0302l allan, ond roeddwn i\u2019n gwybod y byddai ond yn gwaethygu, neu byddai\u2019n digwydd eto."}, {"text_idx": "#000053", "text": "\u201cYr wythnosau hynny cefais fy hun mewn lle eithaf tywyll. Doeddwn i ddim yn siw\u0302r beth oedd yn mynd i ddigwydd nesaf, a oeddwn i\u2019n mynd i barhau i focsio neu orfod cael swydd arall. Roeddwn i\u2019n meddwl y gallai hynny fod wedi bod yn ddiwedd ar fy ngyrfa."}, {"text_idx": "#000054", "text": "\u201cOnd wedyn wnes i siarad gyda fy nhad a fy ngwraig, mae\u2019r ddau wedi bod yno drwy gydol fy ngyrfa ac wedi gweld yr holl aberthau dwi wedi mynd trwyddynt."}, {"text_idx": "#000055", "text": "\u201cRoedden ni\u2019n gwybod y byddai\u2019n cymryd amser a byddai\u2019r cynnydd yn rhwystredig, ond dyma dwi\u2019n caru ei wneud. Dyna pam dwi\u2019n codi yn y bore, i edrych ar o\u0302l fy nheulu.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000056", "text": "Nod Cordina erioed oedd dod a\u0302\u2019r gamp i Gymru. Yn sicr, nid yw wedi siomi hyd yma ac mae\u2019n gobeithio parhau a\u0302\u2019i gyfnod proffesiynol i\u2019r Gwanwyn eleni."}, {"text_idx": "#000057", "text": "\u201cDechreuais i ar yr un diwrnod ag Anthony Joshua yn GB felly i mi weld sut mae e wedi symud ymlaen a beth mae e wedi mynd ymlaen i\u2019w wneud... Ymladdais ar ambell un o\u2019i is-gardiau, a gallwn weld yn union beth mae\u2019n ei gymryd. Rwyf am roi\u2019r cyfle hwnnw i focswyr ifanc nawr."}, {"text_idx": "#000058", "text": "\u201cRoedd ennill y teitl yn dod ag atgofion yn o\u0302l o\u2019r teithio yn o\u0302l ac ymlaen i Sheffield, yn gweithio o ddydd i ddydd i di\u0302m GB,\u201d ychwanegodd y gw\u0302r 31 oed. Roedd e\u2019n foment enfawr i fi, yn enwedig bod yn fy nhref enedigol, ar fy stepen drws, o flaen fy nheulu a ffrindiau. Mae\u2019n rhywbeth na fydda i byth yn ei anghofio.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000060", "text": "Ers troi\u2019n broffesiynol, mae\u2019r bocsiwr o Gymru wedi cael effaith enfawr. Mae\u2019n debyg bod Cordina wedi gweld y cyfan ond yn mynnu ei fod yn teimlo\u2019n well nag erioed wrth iddo ef a\u2019i hyfforddwr, Tony Sims, geisio dyfeisio strategaeth cyn ei ornest deitl sydd ar ddod."}, {"text_idx": "#000061", "text": "\u201cDwi wastad yn ceisio gwella, wastad yn chwilio am y lefel nesaf yna. Mae fy hyfforddwr yn nodi fy rhaglen ymarfer, a beth bynnag mae\u2019n ei ddweud, rwy\u2019n ei wneud. Mae\u2019n gwybod pryd i gynyddu\u2019r hyfforddiant"}, {"text_idx": "#000062", "text": "\u201cMae e wedi ei wneud cannoedd o weithiau. Mae wedi hyfforddi pencampwyr y byd ac mae\u2019n gwybod sut i gael bocswyr yn barod am ornest deitl y byd. Mae\u2019r gwersyll wedi bod yn anghredadwy. Dwi\u2019n mwynhau fy ymarfer ar hyn o bryd; Dwi\u2019n mynd i gyrraedd y brig ar yr adeg berffaith."}, {"text_idx": "#000063", "text": "\u201cMae ymarfer bob dydd yn codi ofn ar rai pobl. Peidiwch a\u0302\u2019m cam-ddeall, mae\u2019n codi ofn arna\u2019i hefyd, ond ar yr un pryd, dwi\u2019n hapus. Dwi\u2019n hapus gyda lle dwi wedi cyrraedd a dwi\u2019n hapus gyda\u2019r dilyniant dwi\u2019n ei wneud yn y gampfa. Dwi mewn lle da."}, {"text_idx": "#000064", "text": "\u201cPan es i gyda Tony am y tro cyntaf, ro\u2019n i\u2019n gwybod yn syth ei fod yn rhywun ro\u2019n i eisiau bod gyda nhw. Wnaeth e ddim gadael i mi ddyrnu bag bocsio am wythnos, roedd y cyfan yn focsio cysgod, achos mae\u2019n dweud mai dyna sut ti\u2019n gweld camgymeriadau pobl a gweld sut maen nhw\u2019n symud i ffwrdd oddi wrth rywun."}, {"text_idx": "#000065", "text": "\u201cO fy ornest gyntaf, dwi wedi symud ymlaen. Nes i frwydro am deitl WBA yn fy chweched gornest. Rwyf wedi symud ymlaen i\u2019r teitlau Prydeinig, teitlau\u2019r Gymanwlad, a theitlau rhyng-gyfandirol i gyrraedd lle ydw i heddiw."}, {"text_idx": "#000066", "text": "\u201cMae hi wedi bod yn daith hir, ond mae cymaint o ddysgu mae\u2019n rhaid i chi ei wneud. Mae\u2019r cam i fyny i lefel broffesiynol yn enfawr, ond mae\u2019n rhaid i chi barhau i wella. Mae gan bawb eu llygaid arnoch chi ac os oes gennych chi un hollt yn eich arfwisg, byddwch yn cael eich cosbi."}, {"text_idx": "#000067", "text": "\u201cMae gen i fwy i\u2019w ddysgu fel bocsiwr o hyd. Dwi ddim yn meddwl bod yna focsiwr sy\u2019n berffaith, mae wastad lle i wella.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000072", "text": "Don\u2019t miss out on our monthly issue, plus, you\u2019ll get access to the latest sports, news, competitions, offers and more! Distributing up to 15,000 magazines across Welsh Homes, Emails, Fitness facilities, Sports Clubs, Transport Hubs, and more.."}, {"text_idx": "#000075", "text": "Go on, you know you want to....."}, {"text_idx": "#000076", "text": "I confirm I would like my details to be used in order for Sportin Media to send me marketing material"}]