Joe Cordina ready to return after hand surgery as he eyes world title in 2021

Joe Cordina had a hand operation that left him unable to walk but now he wants to hit the ground running as he aims for a world title this year.

The Welsh Wizard returns to the ring for the first time since November 2019 after solving an agonising hand injury during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rising super-featherweight star takes on Faroukh Kourbanov tonight at Wembley Arena in his 12th professional outing.

Cordina, 29, is hoping to make up for lost time after serious surgery to his right hand which needed bone from his hip and titanium stapes to sort.

He said: “It's been frustrating at times being sat at home.

“When the pandemic hit nothing was happening then there were rumours of shows being on but, at the same time, I had an injury that was plaguing me for the best part of 18 months.

“It was a blessing in disguise that I managed to book myself in for an op and get my hand done.

“I won my last three fights with one hand.”

Cordina's rehab meant he couldn't even keep himself busy playing computer games.

He said: “They took bone from my hip and put titanium stapes in my hand, I was out of action.

“I couldn't walk for the first week, then for three months I couldn't use my hand.

“It was hard, the rehab wasn't taxing but it was very limited things I could do.

“I couldn't even touch my fingers together for three months. I'm just glad I can now clench a fist and punch.

“Before I had the op I was playing golf and playing call of duty and Fifa on the Playstation.

“But then when I had the op I couldn't even hold the pad for three weeks.

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    • “It did drive me crazy but I got there in the end.”

    The Cardiff native has got the top guys at super-featherweight now in his sights and that includes Gervonta Davis, Oscar Valdez and the winner out of Carl Frampton against Jamel Herring.

    Cordina added: “Whoever has the belts, they're in my way. I am knocking on the door but I want to kick the door down.”

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