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Boxer Joe Cordina 'not protecting himself but retaliating' when he punched man at Cardiff petrol station, court hears

Joe Cordina, the two-time IBF super-featherweight world champion, denies two assault charges after allegedly punching Jamie O'Brien at a Cardiff petrol station, telling police he acted "out of instinct".
Joe Cordina, the two-time IBF super-featherweight world champion, denies two assault charges after allegedly punching Jamie O'Brien at a Cardiff petrol station, telling police he acted "out of instinct".

Former IBF super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina was "not protecting himself but retaliating" when he punched Jamie O'Brien to the ground outside a Texaco garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff, a prosecutor told Cardiff Magistrates' Court. O'Brien, 33, had previously admitted his own assault charge, and his sister told police he "hated" Cordina and may have "sought him out". Cordina, 34, is standing trial on two counts of assault over the February incident.

CCTV played to the court showed Cordina walking over to O'Brien on the pavement, punching him to the ground, then throwing a further punch after O'Brien had been restrained.

Cordina told police he punched O'Brien "out of instinct" after being shoved and feeling threatened, and his defence barrister argued O'Brien's own family had flagged his behaviour from video circulating online.

The altercation only came to light when Wales Online published witness footage from the Texaco garage several days after the incident.

MoreBBC News - UKChampion boxer Joe Cordina was 'retaliating' when he punched man to ground, court hearsDaily Mail NewsFormer world champion boxer Joe Cordina was acting on 'instinct' when he punched man outside petrol station, court hearsWalesOnlineBoxer Joe Cordina given 'threat to life warning' before he punched man at Cardiff petrol stationITVBoxer Joe Cordina acted on ‘instinct’ when he hit man at service station, court hears
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