Joe Cordina cleared of assault after petrol station punch ruled self-defence

Joe Cordina has been cleared of assault after knocking a man to the ground with a single punch outside a Cardiff petrol station.

District Judge Charlotte Murphy found the 34-year-old not guilty of assault by beating against Jamie O'Brien, 33, after a trial at Cardiff Magistrates' Court. The verdict closes a case that has hung over the Welsh boxer since February and already cost him a shot in America BBC.

The judge said she was satisfied Cordina believed force was necessary to defend himself. She described his response as a single, measured, controlled punch that was proportionate in the circumstances.

The incident happened outside a garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff. Cordina had been filling up his Land Rover before he approached O'Brien, who was sitting on the pavement near the petrol station exit.

CCTV played in court showed O'Brien push Cordina with his shoulder. Cordina then punched him with enough force to knock him down. Police only began investigating after footage of the altercation was shared online.

O'Brien, from Pentwyn, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating. The judge had already ruled there was no case to answer against Cordina on a second assault charge.

The fallout went well beyond Cardiff. The case led to Cordina being denied entry to the United States for a WBO lightweight title fight. The WBO is one of boxing's four major sanctioning bodies, and lightweight is the 135lb division. Cordina had previously said the missed fight was against Abdullah Mason Sky Sports.

In court, Cordina said a criminal conviction could put his boxing licence at risk. It was a stark reminder of how short and fragile careers can be. One night on a forecourt, caught on camera, can threaten years of work.

Cordina is a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion. The IBF is another of the four major world title organisations, and super-featherweight sits at 130lbs, five pounds below lightweight.

For fans, this means the legal cloud has lifted but the sporting cost remains. He kept his licence and his name. He still lost his American opportunity.