Last Friday, Sunny Edwards reminded everyone why he’s one of the best flyweights on the planet by seeing off his dangerous mandatory challenger Felix Alvarado.
And Edwards is already lining up the next big challenge of his reign as world champion – Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Edwards, who was walked to the ring by UK grime artist Jaykae, produced a performance that mixed sublime skill and dogged determination, to defeat the excellent Alvarado on all three of the judges’ scorecards at Probellum’s card in Sheffield.
The man known as ‘Showtime’ – now 19-0 as a pro – made a third defense of his IBF crown with scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 115-113 after 12 rounds at the Utilita Arena, in his adopted home city.
Edwards was full of praise for Alvarado but says he proved tonight that he can deal with the power of any 112-pound fighter – including undefeated star Rodriguez, who recently confirmed that he is moving down in weight to pursue world titles at 112.
“Felix Alvarado is a phenomenal puncher and I sat there and mixed it with him. I rode shots, took shots, threw shots, and if I can do that against him then I can do it against anyone,” Edwards said. “Bam Rodriguez, you promised me the fight. Come and get it.”
Edwards also felt that he was way ahead in the fight with Alvarado and disagreed with the close scores on the official cards.
“I had the fight 8-4 or 9-3 in my favor, I don’t know what the some of the scorecards were about. I went up clear and then coasted it from there,” Edwards said.