INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – Charlie Edwards took a significant step towards a world title shot, dethroning European bantamweight champion Thomas Essomba with a hard-fought points victory at London’s York Hall. While the emphatic points decision in Edwards’ favor might suggest a dominant performance, the fight was a close and thrilling affair.
Edwards outworked Essomba for much of the 12 rounds, showcasing his superior stamina and boxing skills. However, Essomba, known for his powerful punches, landed some heavy blows, particularly his left hook, keeping Edwards on his toes throughout the contest.
The fight carried an extra layer of intrigue, as Edwards’ brother, Sunny, is Essomba’s manager. While Sunny chose not to be in his fighter’s corner, his presence was felt throughout the fight, as he watched with a mix of nervousness and pride.
Despite Essomba’s late surge in the second half of the fight, Edwards remained composed and boxed calmly in the final rounds. The judges ultimately recognized his superior boxing skills, awarding him a unanimous decision with scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 118-111.
With this victory, Edwards secures his 20th career win and takes a major step towards his goal of becoming a two-weight world champion. He previously held the WBC flyweight title from 2018 to 2019 before vacating it due to weight issues.
In his post-fight interview, Edwards wasted no time in calling out his next target: Liverpudlian Paul Butler. He also expressed his desire to fight any of the Japanese world champions, highlighting his ambition to conquer the global boxing scene.
The victory marks a significant comeback for Edwards, who has now won three times in the past 15 months after a 19-month period of inactivity. His determination and focus are evident, and his sights are firmly set on reclaiming a world title and adding another chapter to his already impressive boxing career. (Red)
