Joe Cordina Denied US Visa, Albert Bell Lands Abdullah Mason Title Fight July 4

Former world champion loses WBO lightweight title shot after visa denial as unbeaten Ohio contender Albert Bell steps in

Joe Cordina’s bid to become a three-time world champion is over before it began after he was denied a US visa ahead of his scheduled July 4 fight with Abdullah Mason. Unbeaten Ohio contender Albert Bell has now stepped in to challenge Mason for the WBO lightweight title in Cleveland.

Cordina revealed the news on Instagram, ending his hopes of challenging Mason for the title at the Wolstein Center.

“Just to let everyone know that I’m not going to fight,” said Cordina. “It’s not injuries, I’ve seen a lot of [reports] saying injuries, but there’s no injuries. I’ve had a great camp. I was meant to fly over this week.”

The former two-time IBF super featherweight champion said he recently attended an appointment at the US Embassy in London but was denied entry despite bringing supporting documentation.

“A couple of days back, I went to the US Embassy in London and they basically denied me a visa,” said Cordina. “I tried to explain certain things and I had all the paperwork to back it up and they wasn’t having it. They basically told me, ‘you ain’t getting in.'”

“It’s out of my hands and I’m absolutely gutted to become a three-time, two-weight world champion, plus fight for a world title in America was a goal of mine.”

With Cordina out, Bell, 28-0 (9 KOs), has agreed to step in on short notice for his first world title opportunity. The Toledo native had been preparing for an IBF lightweight title eliminator against Andy Cruz on July 18 before receiving the call to face Mason.

Bell enters the fight ranked No. 6 by the WBO and will now challenge Mason, 20-0 (17 KOs), in an all-Ohio matchup. Mason won the WBO lightweight title in November with a victory over Sam Noakes and will be making the first defense of his championship in front of his hometown fans.

Bell’s move leaves Cruz without an opponent for the July 18 eliminator. Promoters are reportedly searching for a replacement opponent for the Cuban contender, with the winner expected to move into position for a shot at IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla.

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