Joe Cordina’s willingness to choose Manny Pacquiao over a world title opportunity says plenty about what boxing still rewards. A famous opponent near the end of his career can offer more appeal than chasing a belt against a younger champion.

Cordina made it clear he agreed to every single term tossed his way for a potential Pacquiao clash on the Fury vs Joshua card in Cardiff. Nothing is official yet, especially with undefeated lightweight Abdullah Mason also floating around as an option. Above all else, Cordina simply wants his name on that massive stadium ticket in front of his home crowd.

“Obviously, for me, the main thing is just getting on the show. That’s my goal: just getting on the show. Now, for me to fight Manny Pacquiao on a show in my hometown in the Principality Stadium, that’s on a different level,” said Cordina to talkSPORT Boxing.

Belts can wait, according to Cordina. He sees sharing the ring with an eight-division boxing legend as a once-in-a-lifetime ticket, even with his mandatory status on the line.

From a purely business perspective, it makes total sense. Taking down Mason brings genuine championship prestige. Stepping in against Pacquiao puts Cordina directly in front of casual viewers who never watch regular title bouts. Even if critics question whatever gas Pacquiao has left in the tank, the spectacle brings massive eyes.

Promoters see that value clearly. Spencer Oliver pointed directly to the appeal Pacquiao brings for American Netflix viewers. Massive marquee value gets people talking, even if the action inside the ropes ends up mismatched.

Still, waiting around creates real problems for the fighter. Cordina faces huge weight swings, having to figure out whether he should cut to 135 pounds for Mason or bulk to 147 pounds for Pacquiao. With only six weeks left on the calendar, managing calories without a confirmed target becomes a nightmare.

Pacquiao walking away from Cordina would surprise nobody. For a legend of his stature, Cordina brings practically zero commercial upside, and the risk-to-reward ratio is completely upside down.

Cordina is virtually unknown to the mainstream US audience Netflix wants to capture. Getting stopped by Anthony Cacace took the shine off him, and squeaking out decisions against Gabriel Flores Jr. and Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz did nothing to restore his momentum. Cordina looked flat in both outings, showing very little of the explosiveness that once made him an interesting champion.

Beating a faded, inactive former champion does not add anything real to Pacquiao’s legacy, nor does it generate massive interest outside of Wales. If Pacquiao steps into that ring, he wants global spectacle or serious money. Cordina offers neither.