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 fundamental occasion Friday at York Corridor in Bethnal Inexperienced, England.
Essomba is managed by Sunny Edwards, Charlie’s youthful brother.
Any household bond was solid apart on Friday, because the elder Edwards bit right 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 properly. He used his strain to swarm Edwards within the opening spherical.
Edwards, 31, discovered his rhythm and located a house for his highly effective proper hand. Over the subsequent few rounds he discovered an actual foothold within the battle.
Essomba upped the tempo simply because the battle threatened to get away from him. He had extra success within the center rounds, forcing Edwards to alternate.
Nevertheless, as soon as Edwards was capable of sluggish the tempo and use his superior footwork, he once more managed the motion. Essomba, 36, wasn’t going to go flippantly and charged again touchdown an attention grabbing proper hand that snapped Edwards head again.
After 10-rounds revered commentator Barry Jones’ scorecard had the battle 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,” mentioned Edwards. “And now that places me in an excellent place, I’ve bought 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 return on the market and take a belt from considered one of your champions.”
Nevertheless, he was carrying a t-shirt calling out a fellow British fighter.
“[Paul Butler] a two-time former world champion, previous gymnasium mate, [former trainer] Joe Gallagher, I had private points with him – I’m coming,” he mentioned. “This was a private battle with my brother and now it’s going to be one other private battle for me, [Gallagher] tried to steal this battle from me and put Paul Butler within the obligatory [position] and push the obligatory earlier than Thomas may do his voluntary. Guess what Joe? You’re my obligatory and I’m coming for you.”
Whereas Sauerland believes a battle with Butler battle could be made, he appeared extra intent on happening to world honors.
“Tonight he received the European title [and is] again on the way in which to the world title, that’s the place he belongs – such an elite fighter,” mentioned Sauerland. “These massive titles are in Japan, I’ve accomplished massive reveals with Mr. Honda over there earlier than. It’s an open line, first name Monday will probably be to Mr. Honda however Charlie has an agenda, he’s carrying the t-shirt so we’ll however tonight we’re going to get pleasure from tonight. European title within the financial institution, world title subsequent.”
An all-British showdown with Paul Butler would place the winner to battle for an additional world title.
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