Charlie Edwards moved closer to a world title shot after dethroning Thomas Essomba to win the European bantamweight championship at London’s iconic York Hall. Edwards claimed a hard-fought points victory, though the scorecards didn’t fully reflect the close and competitive nature of the fight.
The Englishman outworked his Cameroonian opponent over 12gruellingg rounds, consistently throwing more punches. However, Essomba’s left hook was a key weapon, landing more power shots throughout the contest.
A Call for BiggerFights: Edwards made clear that his sights were set on even bigger fights after his victory. The former world champion wasted no time calling out Liverpudlian Paul Butler and expressing interest in fighting any of the current world champions based in Japan.
“Homas is a tricky operator,” Edwards admitted, acknowledging the challenge Essomba posed in the ring. “I’ma world champion. I want to fight champions. I’ve got options everywhere. All the champions are in Japan. I want to go out there.”Two-Weight Champion Ambitions
Edwards’ victory over Essomba marks the 20th win of his career and actions him towards becoming a two-weight international champion. The Sutton-born boxer previously held the WBC flyweight name from 2018 to 2019, vacating the belt because of difficulties making the 112lb weight limit.
After a 19-month hiatus, Edwards has when you consider that made a robust comeback, securing 3 wins in the final 15 months, and his modern-day triumph solidifies his standing as a pinnacle contender inside the bantamweight division.
A Personal Victory for the Edwards Family
The fight held special significance for Edwards, as his younger brother, Sunny Edwards, manages Thomas Essomba. The emotional stakes were high, with Sunny opting to sit out from Essomba’s corner but visibly supporting both fighters from ringside.
Sunny, decked out in a floor-length fur coat, nervously watched the action unfold. Despite the tension, he applauded both men for their performances in a competitive and tactical contest.
Essomba’s Strong Comeback Effort
While Edwards took an early lead in the first half of the fight, Essomba, 36, rallied during the latter rounds. He switched from his initial counter-punching strategy and went on the offensive, particularly troubling Edwards in the ninth and tenth rounds with powerful right-hand shots and combinations.
However, Edwards managed to withstand Essomba’s late surge, displaying composure and defensive prowess in the final two rounds. The fight concluded with a confident Edwards awaiting the judges’s scorecards.
Scorecards Tell the Story
Despite the closely contested fight, Edwards appeared composed as the judges delivered their verdict. The final scorecards read 117-111, 116-112, and 118-111, all in favour of Edwards, confirming his victory and new status as the European bantamweight champion.
Looking Ahead: Butler and Beyond
Edwards’ focus now turns to his future, and he has set his sights on another “personal” argument, Butler. Edwards wore a Butler T-shirt during his post-fight interview, underscoring the significance of the potential match-up. Butler, a former IBF champion, is currently trained by Joe Gallagher, who also happens to be EEdwards’former coach.
