Blood is thicker than water.
Charlie Edwards unseated European bantamweight titlist Thomas Essomba through 12-round unanimous determination. Scores have been 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112 for the previous WBC flyweight titlist of their Channel 5 predominant occasion Friday at York Corridor in Bethnal Inexperienced, England.
Essomba is managed by Sunny Edwards, Charlie’s youthful brother.
Any household bond was forged apart on Friday, because the elder Edwards bit right down to protect the win. Essomba, who represented Cameroon on the 2008 and 2012 Olympics earlier than in search of asylum within the U.Okay., began nicely. He used his strain to swarm Edwards within the opening spherical.
Edwards, 31, discovered his rhythm and located a house for his highly effective proper hand. Over the following few rounds he discovered an actual foothold within the battle.
Essomba upped the tempo simply because the battle threatened to get away from him. He had extra success within the center rounds, forcing Edwards to change.
Nonetheless, as soon as Edwards was in a position to gradual the tempo and use his superior footwork, he once more managed the motion. Essomba, 36, wasn’t going to go calmly and charged again touchdown an attention-grabbing proper hand that snapped Edwards head again.
After 10-rounds revered commentator Barry Jones’ scorecard had the battle even.
Edwards (20-1, 7 knockouts) outworked Essomba (13-9-1, 4 KOs) within the championship rounds to seal the win.
Not one to face on ceremony, Edwards and promoter, Kalle Sauerland, of Wasserman Boxing, spoke of the victory and what may very well be on the horizon.
“I’m an actual champion, that’s why I needed to dethrone the champion to be European champion,” mentioned Edwards. “And now that places me in an excellent place, I’ve obtained choices in all places. All of the world titles are over in Japan.
“I’m ranked excessive, I’ll most likely get pushed up now I’m European champion. Mr. Honda, I’d like to come back on the market and take a belt from one in all your champions.”
Nonetheless, he was carrying a t-shirt calling out a fellow British fighter.
“[Paul Butler] a two-time former world champion, outdated gymnasium mate, [former trainer] Joe Gallagher, I had private points with him – I’m coming,” he mentioned. “This was a private battle with my brother and now it’s going to be one other private battle for me, [Gallagher] tried to steal this battle from me and put Paul Butler within the necessary [position] and push the necessary earlier than Thomas may do his voluntary. Guess what Joe? You’re my necessary and I’m coming for you.”
Whereas Sauerland believes a battle with Butler battle could be made, he appeared extra intent on occurring to world honors.
“Tonight he received the European title [and is] again on the best way to the world title, that’s the place he belongs – such an elite fighter,” mentioned Sauerland. “These massive titles are in Japan, I’ve executed massive exhibits with Mr. Honda over there earlier than. It’s an open line, first name Monday will probably be to Mr. Honda however Charlie has an agenda, he’s carrying the t-shirt so we’ll however tonight we’re going to get pleasure from tonight. European title within the financial institution, world title subsequent.”
An all-British showdown with Paul Butler would place the winner to battle for one more world title.
Questions and/or feedback could be despatched to Anson at [email protected] and you may observe him on
Twitter@AnsonWainwr1ght
