Joe Cordina denied US visa as Albert Bell replaces him against Abdullah Mason

Joe Cordina’s WBO lightweight title challenge against Abdullah Mason is off after the Welshman said he was denied entry to the United States. Albert Bell is set to replace him against Mason in Cleveland on Saturday, 4 July.

Cordina, a former IBF super-featherweight champion from Cardiff, had been due to face Mason in the American’s first defence of the WBO lightweight belt. The bout would have given Cordina the chance to become a two-weight world champion after moving up to lightweight following his defeat to Anthony Cacace in May 2024.

Cordina said in a social media post: “I was due to fly to the United States this week. A couple of days back I went to the US embassy in London and they basically denied me a visa. I tried to explain certain things, and had all the paperwork to back it up, and they wasn’t having it. They just sort of basically told me you ain’t getting in, so it’s on my hands. Absolutely gutted, because it’s my chance to become a three time two-weight world champion, plus fight for a world title in America, which was a goal of mine.”

The 34-year-old also pushed back against suggestions that he had withdrawn because of a physical problem, saying he “feels bad” for Mason. Cordina added: “I’ve seen a load of things saying injuries, and this, and there’s no injuries. I’ve had a great camp.”

Cordina had rebuilt at 135lbs after losing his IBF title to Cacace, first beating Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz for the vacant WBO global lightweight title and then outpointing Gabriel Flores Jr in California in December 2025. His fight with Mason would have been another significant American assignment, this time for a full world title.

Bell diverted from Cruz eliminator

Mason, 22, won the vacant WBO lightweight title by decisioning Sam Noakes in November 2025 and was scheduled to headline at home in Cleveland. The DAZN-streamed show was also due to mark the first fight of a simulcast deal with TNT.

Bell, an unbeaten Toledo native, now reportedly moves into the world-title fight after preparing for an IBF lightweight eliminator against Andy Cruz on July 18 at Dignity Health Sports Park in California. The 33-year-old is 28-0 with 9 knockouts and brings a different assignment for Mason than Cordina, with the late change shifting the champion from an experienced former titleholder to an awkward, unbeaten opponent who will also be fighting close to home.

The switch leaves Cruz without Bell for the planned eliminator, whose reward was tied to IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla. Promoters will now have to determine whether Cruz receives a replacement opponent or whether the IBF route is reshaped, while Top Rank look to move forward with Bell on short notice in Cleveland.