Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Joe Cordina has been cleared of assaulting a man he punched outside a petrol station in Cardiff. A district judge 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 began in February at the Pentwyn service station, where Cordina, a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion, had been filling up his Land Rover. Police opened an investigation after footage of the incident circulated online.
Joe Cordina cleared as judge accepts self-defence
Judge Charlotte Murphy ruled that Cordina genuinely believed force was necessary to defend himself. She described O'Brien's action as a "deliberate assault", finding that he "shoulder barged him to the chest and chin".
In her ruling, the judge said: "I am satisfied that the defendant believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself. I am further satisfied that a single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances."
She addressed the question of how the punch should be judged, noting the gap between CCTV replay and real time. "It is very easy to consider the defendant's response by considering the CCTV in slow motion, however the defendant had a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge."
The judge also accepted Cordina's account that he pushed O'Brien repeatedly "while on the floor to keep him away from him", and rejected any suggestion that he was retaliating. "For all of those reasons, the crown has not proved to the criminal standard. I therefore find the defendant not guilty and dismiss the charge."
Context the court heard before the verdict
Judge Murphy highlighted that the shoulder barge took place just two weeks after police had told Cordina there was a threat to his life. That detail shaped how the court assessed his reaction at the station.
Cordina told the trial he initially thought O'Brien wanted a photograph, describing how he is used to being recognised four or five times a day. He said he acted in self-defence because he felt threatened. "He had his hands in his pockets, I don't know what people carry on them these days," he said.
The judge found Cordina had approached O'Brien "in good faith", believing he was a fan. She had earlier ruled there was no case to answer on a second assault charge, and said there was no evidence O'Brien knew the person filming the incident.
O'Brien, from Pentwyn, had previously pleaded guilty to assault by beating. CCTV played to the court showed him pushing Cordina with his shoulder before Cordina threw the punch.
What Cordina's lawyer said after court
Nadeem Majid, Cordina's lawyer, issued a statement to the media outside court. He said the verdict was "a huge relief for Joe and everybody who is close to him", adding that his client had "always maintained he is innocent throughout this".
Majid thanked Cordina's family, friends, fans and legal team for their support "through what's clearly been a very difficult time". He said Cordina now wants to focus on his family and on boxing, and that those around him would like to see him on a bill in December. No opponent or venue has been confirmed.
The case is the second legal matter resolved for Cordina this week, following the earlier dismissal of the second charge. He remains a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion, and any return to the ring would be his first since the allegations became public.
The original report was published by skysports.com.