Sunny Edwards celebrates his win in opposition to Adrian Curiel at Footprint Heart in Phoenix, Arizona. Photograph Credit score: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
The higher Phoenix space has not produced fond in-ring recollections for Sunny Edwards.
A return to the win column was afforded the previous IBF flyweight titlist, who soundly outboxed Adrian Curiel. The struggle was stopped initially of spherical when the ringside doctor deemed Edwards unfit to proceed because of a horrific minimize over his proper eyelid.
As a result of the wound was attributable to a headbutt, the bout went to the scorecards. Edwards (21-1, 4 knockouts) claimed a technical determination by scores of 90-82. 88-84 and a comical 87-85. Their flyweight bout was the DAZN co-feature Saturday night from Footprint Heart, house to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
The win got here six months after Edwards was stopped after the ninth spherical by Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) final Dec. 16 in close by Glendale, Arizona.
“I managed to go away Arizona uglier than I got here twice in a row,” Edwards instructed DAZN’s Chris Mannix. “I apologize to the followers who wished extra.”
Each fighters had been coming off stoppage defeats to finish their respective title reigns. Edwards misplaced his belt to Rodriguez of their IBF/WBO 112-pound unification bout, which ended his reign of greater than three years. Curiel (24-6-1, 5 KOs) shocked Sivenathi Nontshinga by way of first-round knockout to win the IBF 108 title. His reign was transient as he was stopped within the tenth spherical of their Feb. 16 rematch in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Curiel moved as much as flyweight for this chance however rapidly discovered himself nicely out of his depth. Edwards boxed masterfully each out of a standard stance and when he switched to southpaw.
The early rounds noticed Edwards shoot his jab but additionally land purposeful energy photographs straight down the center. Curiel was lowered to a plodder for a lot of the night time, and barely landed something clear or of consequence.
Referee Mark Nelson was a presence in a struggle that featured frequent clinches and some fouls. Curiel was disciplined by the veteran official when he landed an intentional headbutt nicely after the tip to the fourth spherical.
Issues grew rougher because the rounds progressed. Edwards nonetheless managed the motion and the tempo. Curiel was in a position to shut the gap however couldn’t land something authorized as soon as there. His most damaging blow turned out to be a headbutt with roughly one minute left in spherical six.
Edwards left the alternate with a zipper-like minimize alongside his proper eyebrow. Blood poured down the suitable facet of his face although he by no means bitched about having to struggle by the wound.
Curiel was marginally extra profitable in rounds seven and eight, if solely in his capacity to cost ahead and drive Edwards into the ropes. Edwards nonetheless landed the flashier mixtures and the way more telling blows.
It not mattered initially of spherical 9. Time was known as because the ringside doctor was summoned to look at Edwards. Nelson was knowledgeable to finish the competition, at which level he assured Edwards that the bout would go to the scorecards.
That second ought to have offered Edwards with some aid. The closer-than-expected playing cards couldn’t even present that second.
“I don’t count on any favors once I come to America,” famous Edwards. “I assumed I gained each spherical, I gave him one spherical perhaps.”
Nonetheless, it’s his first win since final June when he defended his IBF flyweight title for the ultimate time. Each divisional belt is spoken for in the mean time, although his subsequent struggle may very well be already lined up. Matchroom promotes by Edwards and 2020 Olympic Gold medalist Galal Yafai (7-0, 5 KOs). The pairing has been mentioned for some time and seems to be a actuality for this fall.
“I’ve signed the struggle,” insisted Edwards. “I beat Galal within the amateurs however the coach who’s nonetheless the coach at present picked him for [Team Great Britain] anyway.
“Galal, I’m prepared. I believe I’m the largest identify within the flyweight division.”
Edwards-Curiel served because the chief help to Rodriguez’s problem of RING/WBC 115-pound champion Juan Francisco Estrada (44-3, 28 KOs).
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