Moment ex-boxing world champ ‘punches man to ground in petrol station brawl’ before claiming he was ‘acting on instinct’

Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina is standing trial after allegedly punching a man to the ground during an altercation at a Welsh petrol station in February. CCTV footage presented at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court reportedly showed Jamie O’Brien pushing Cordina before Cordina struck him to the ground. Cordina faces two charges of assault by beating and has entered a plea of not guilty, claiming he acted on instinct and in self-defense.

Prosecutors argued that Cordina initiated the confrontation and threw a second punch while O’Brien was restrained, exceeding lawful self-defense. In response, Cordina’s defense noted that O’Brien’s sister informed police her brother harbored hatred toward Cordina and spoke about wanting to hurt him. Police launched their investigation after footage of the forecourt incident circulated online.