Joe Cordina acquitted while Liam Smith faces serious charges

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To preface: this is about crimes (allegedly) committed by British boxers, not boxing crimes committed in Britain. Team Wardley’s reckless endangerment and Amy Pu’s general incompetence will not be discussed. It’s been a busy week across the pond both in the ring and on the mean streets, with multiple updates regarding high-profile boxers’ crimes hitting the Internet in quick succession. Most recently, former super featherweight champion Joe Cordina (19-1, 9 KO), who missed out on a lightweight title shot against Abdullah Mason this past summer after charges of “assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place” prevented him from securing a visa, secured acquittal after the judge accepted Cordina’s explanation of self-defense. Video showed the other man initiating the encounter and shoulder-checking Cordina before the latter responded with a punch. In her ruling, Judge Charlotte Murphy 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. “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.” Cordina still sits atop the WBO rankings, making it very feasible to reschedule a tussle with Mason. Liam Smith (33-5-1, 20 KO), meanwhile, reportedly showed less restraint in his own incident. Per the BBC, Smith was arrested last month for “causing grievous bodily harm with intent” and participated in a hearing yesterday in which CCTV footage showed Smith, per the judge, “deliver[ing] two strikes to the head of somebody lying on the floor who’s unable to stand.” Smith has not fought since a one-sided loss to Aaron McKenna last year and hasn’t scored a win in the last three years. A planned September comeback in Finland fell apart when “Beefy” suffered a calf injury. Finally, Box.Live did some digging on British champ Lewis Edmondson (12-1, 9 KO), who allegedly rammed a police car in July while fleeing with enough cocaine to merit a charge of “possession with intent to supply.” He still holds the title and recently received orders from the BBBofC to defend against Dan Azeez after a previously ordered showdown with Zak Chelli failed to secure a single bidder. Any updates on ongoing or newfound malfeasance will be passed on to you, our beloved readers, as they arrive.

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Joe Cordina is once again free to compete after acquittal, while Liam Smith and Lewis Edmondson remain in hot water