Boxing: Farouk Kourbanov narrowly bows in points against Joe Cordina

Our compatriot Farouk Kourbanov managed a very good performance at Wembley Arena this Saturday evening against the undefeated Joe Cordina, losing by majority decision at the end of the ten rounds, one of the judges giving a score of parity (96-96) while the other two gave the winner Welsh (96-95 and 98-93).

During this super-featherweight duel, the Verviers player immediately showed that he had not come to make up appearances, placing a few jabs and interesting body combinations. Faced with the activity of the Belgian, Cordina was soon to react, which he did with precision in the next two rounds. In the fourth round, Kurbanov kept the pressure on his opponent who did not panic but could not afford to relax. The former European Union champion succeeded in his best round in the sixth round thanks to very good sequences combining technique, speed and precision, three minutes during which Cordina was not entitled to the chapter.

The reaction of the favorite was not made wait in the 7th round, Kourbanov taking some avoidable blows. Not possessing the punch likely to send his opponent to the mat, the Belgian continued to work intelligently, varying the blows to the body and to the head. Cordina kept overall control of the rally but showed some signs of frustration when Kourbanov gave her all the rage in the ninth round, hitting him in the face several times.

Farouk Kourbanov, sportingly congratulated by his opponent, certainly comes out with his head held high from this fight during which he will have competed for ten rounds with Joe Cordina. A great reference for the rest of his career!