Even with the WBO super featherweight title in his possession, Emanuel Navarrete didn’t feel like the division’s best. In order to change his mind, the Mexican star knew that he needed to secure a big-time win. Oscar Valdez then became his next target.

Officially, the two got it on, on August 12th, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Any assumptions that their showdown was a 50/50 clash were immediately wiped away as Navarrete dominated the former two-division titlist to the tune of a lopsided unanimous decision.

From a distance, Joe Cordina watched every second of every round. He’s also paid close attention to Navarrete’s previous outings. Having studied the three-time champion for quite some time now, all Cordina can think about is sharing the ring with him.

“When I look at Navarrete, my mouth waters,” Cordina told Seconds Out during a recent interview. “He’s a good fighter.”

Any fantasy matchups involving Navarrete would be immediately thrown by the wayside if Cordina (16-0, 9 KOs) doesn’t take care of business on November 4th. On the night, he’ll look to defend his IBF title against Edward Vazquez.

Without overlooking the fringe contender, Cordina is giving Vazquez all of his attention. If everything goes according to plan, Navarrete (38-1, 31 KOs) will move to the front of his Hitlist.

For the entirety of his career, Cordina has dazzled his hometown crowd. In a conjectural matchup with Navarrete, the 31-year-old acknowledges that it could be difficult to drag his fellow champion to his neck of the woods. Be that as it may, Cordina considers himself a traveling man. Although he loves giving his fans a show, he still has dreams of fighting underneath the bright lights in one of boxing’s historic states.

“I reckon that fight can do Vegas. I would love to fight there. That’s one I would love potentially after this one.” 

Navarrete is scheduled to defend his title two weeks later, on November 16, when he takes on Olympic gold medal winner Robson Conceicao.