UNBEATEN Gavin Gwynne will lock horns with former St Joseph’s stablemate and reigning British lightweight champion Joe Cordina in a mouth-watering battle of Wales next month.

It was thought that Tony Borg-trained Gwynne would be fighting Irishman James Tennyson in a final eliminator for the Lonsdale Belt later this year.

But the British Boxing Board of Control’s (BBBoC) latest title circular states that Newport-based Gwynne (11-0) and Cardiff’s Cordina (9-0) are to meet at the O2 Arena on Saturday, August 31.

News of the contest will have come as a massive boost for Gwynne, particularly after he had already beaten Myron Mills in Newport last October in what was billed as a final eliminator.

Speaking before last weekend’s points victory over Arnoldo Solano, the 29-year-old from Trelewis was still puzzled as to why, having defeated Mills, he then needed to face Tennyson.

For Cordina, 27, who left St Joseph’s before making his pro debut in 2017, it will be a first defence of the belt he won when stopping Andy Townend in April.

In that fight, the Rio Olympian and former European amateur champion also defended his Commonwealth strap for the first time.

Gwynne, the Welsh champion, will claim his second professional title if he can dethrone Cordina on the Top Rank/Matchroom Boxing show.

Meanwhile, Blackwood’s Craig Evans, the reigning WBO European lightweight king, is set to take Gwynne’s place in that eliminator with Tennyson.

The BBBoC have put the bout out for purse bids with the clash to take place by the end of November.

Evans is also a former St Joseph’s stablemate of Gwynne and Cordina who now works with Gavin Rees at Pantside ABC near Newbridge.

It is fair to say that Evans hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to big payday fights, and many will feel he should have already been given a crack at the Lonsdale Belt.

But a win over world title challenger Tennyson should leave Welsh boxing fans with another tasty offering to look forward to.

And there is also good news for Evans’ current stablemate Kody Davies (9-0), the unbeaten super-middleweight from Pontllanfraith, who overpowered Harry Matthews last month.

The BBBoC have approved promoter Frank Warren’s request for a British super-middleweight title eliminator between Davies and Zak Chelli to take place on a date and at a venue to be confirmed.

Londoner Chelli is also unbeaten with seven straight wins to his name and, as of April, the Southern Area crown.

In yet more British title news, flyweight champion Andrew Selby, who recently left St Joseph’s, is scheduled to defend his strap against Swansea’s Jay Harris in London on Saturday, September 21.