The fight with Rivera, 7-0 (3 KOs), is a second opportunity for Cordova to pick up a major title. Cordova got his first shot at a world title in March of 2024, when he faced Julio Cesar Martinez for his WBC flyweight title. Despite being knocked down twice in the third round, Cordova got off the canvas to make the fight close towards the end, initially losing a majority decision. That decision was changed to a no-contest after Martinez’s urine test came back positive for three banned substances. Martinez was stripped of the belt, but instead of Cordova getting an opportunity to fight for the vacant belt, the title was instead contested later that year in Japan, with Kenshiro Teraji stopping Cristofer Rosales in 11 rounds.
