Gabriel Flores Jr. will take on former world champion
Joe Cordina in Stockton, California on December 13.
The 25-year-old Flores (27-2, 8 KOs) had been scheduled to box on the card in his hometown, but he was awaiting an opponent. Eddie Hearn, the show’s promoter, told The Ring on Friday that the lightweight clash between Flores and Cordina has been signed and sealed.
Wales’ Cordina (18-1, 9 KOs) suffered the first defeat of his career to underdog Anthony Cacace in May 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which cost him his IBF junior lightweight title.
A victory over Flores, ranked at No. 4 by the WBO, will nudge him closer to a world title shot at 135 pounds.
Flores is on a six-fight winning streak since his one-sided decision defeat to Giovanni Cabrera in July 2022.
He has boxed twice so far this year, registering points wins against Jose Arellano and Christian Villanova Arriola. Cordina represents the toughest test of his career to date.