Joe Cordina believes that beating Gabriel Flores Jr will earn him the chance to become a two-weight world champion.

On December 13, two-time IBF junior lightweight champion Cordina (18-1, 9 KOs) will make his American debut. The Welshman will fight Flores Jr (27-2, 8 KOs) in the Californian’s Stockton hometown. The 12-round lightweight bout will be screened worldwide by DAZN, on the undercard preceding Diego Pacheco-Kevin Lele Sadjo.

By the time Cordina lands on the West Coast, the 135-pound division should have a new champion crowned.

On November 22, America's Abdullah Mason and Britain's Sam Noakes will meet for the vacant WBO title. The attractive clash will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the stacked 'Ring IV' card set to be screened live on DAZN PPV.

Cordina believes that beating Flores Jr will secure him a shot at the new titleholder.

"Well, that's what we're in this game for," the Welshman said during a Matchroom digital press conference to promote the fight.

"We've been told that it's a final eliminator for the WBO world title. So yeah, obviously the winner of this gets the winner of that and that's the way it's going to be."

Mason and Noakes are unbeaten, exciting fighters but both have significant questions to answer on November 22.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is widely regarded as one of boxing’s blue chip prospects and the skilful, heavy-handed southpaw has already accumulated a lengthy highlight reel.

Former British, Commonwealth and European champion Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) is a relentless but deceptively smart marauder who - so far - has proven impossible to discourage.

A former British champion at 135-pounds, Cordina only decided upon returning to the lightweight division after losing his IBF title to Anthony Cacace in May 2024 but is well versed in the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow contenders.

He is expecting Mason to win but sees some potential peril for the Ohio based 21-year-old.

"I'd say Abdullah Mason," he said when asked to choose a winner.

"But then you see what he was like when he got hit on the chin by, I can't even remember who his name was [Yohan Vasquez dropped Mason twice before being stopped in the second round of a wild shootout in November 2024]."

"He got put over a couple of times and Sam Noakes can punch. I've never sparred Sam but even Shakur [Stevenson] said he's one of the hardest hitting fighters he'd been in with [during sparring].

"On first thoughts, it would be Abdullah Mason but I'd never I wouldn't put it past Sam to come out victorious and become world champion."