Blood is thicker than water.
Charlie Edwards unseated European bantamweight titlist Thomas Essomba through 12-round unanimous resolution. Scores have been 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112 for the previous WBC flyweight titlist of their Channel 5 important 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 all the way down to protect the win. Essomba, who represented Cameroon on the 2008 and 2012 Olympics earlier than searching for asylum within the U.Ok., began effectively. He used his stress 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 combat.
Essomba upped the tempo simply because the combat threatened to get away from him. He had extra success within the center rounds, forcing Edwards to change.
Nevertheless, 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 frivolously and charged again touchdown an eye catching proper hand that snapped Edwards head again.
After 10-rounds revered commentator Barry Jones’ scorecard had the combat 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 might be on the horizon.
“I’m an actual champion, that’s why I wished to dethrone the champion to be European champion,” stated Edwards. “And now that places me in an excellent place, I’ve acquired choices in every single place. All of the world titles are over in Japan.
“I’m ranked excessive, I’ll in all probability 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 every of your champions.”
Nevertheless, he was sporting 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“[Paul Butler] a two-time former world champion, outdated gymnasium mate, [former trainer] Joe Gallagher, I had private points with him – I’m coming,” he stated. “This was a private combat with my brother and now it’s going to be one other private combat for me, [Gallagher] tried to steal this combat from me and put Paul Butler within the obligatory [position] and push the obligatory earlier than Thomas might do his voluntary. Guess what Joe? You’re my obligatory and I’m coming for you.”
Whereas Sauerland believes a combat with Butler combat may be made, he appeared extra intent on happening to world honors.
“Tonight he gained the European title [and is] again on the best way to the world title, that’s the place he belongs – such an elite fighter,” stated Sauerland. “These large titles are in Japan, I’ve carried out large exhibits with Mr. Honda over there earlier than. It’s an open line, first name Monday shall be to Mr. Honda however Charlie has an agenda, he’s sporting the t-shirt so we’ll however tonight we’re going to take pleasure in tonight. European title within the financial institution, world title subsequent.”
An all-British showdown with Paul Butler would place the winner to combat for an additional world title.
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