Sunny Edwards after beating Marcel Braithwaite on the Copper Field Area on December 21, 2019. (Photograph by James Probability/Getty Pictures)
Fast-fisted IBF flyweight titleholder Sunny Edwards has lengthy referred to as for a unification with WBC counterpart Julio Cesar Martinez. The 2 had been tabbed to satisfy someplace in both the US or Mexico, with a working date of October 22. Nonetheless, much like how Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr. rumbled on for a number of weeks and finally fell aside, so did Edwards-Martinez, a lot to the Brit’s chagrin.
“I simply assume they had been enjoying with my feelings. I don’t assume they wished the struggle; I believe their habits has proven that point and time once more,” Edwards (18-0, 4 knockouts) advised The Ring. “It’s a huge cash struggle. I used to be getting supplied — and accepted — very, excellent cash. And I do know him, combating at dwelling together with his personal promoter, coming off the massive fights he’s had, that he could be getting much more than me. And he was turning it down, wanting extra, and that’s why the struggle didn’t occur. I believe he was asking for between £750,000 and 1,000,000 pound (about $865,000-$1.15 million) to struggle me, which I believe is mad.
“Martinez holds little or no respect for me — he did. He may have let it slide and mentioned [negotiations] broke down, however he mentioned I pulled out. I cried when that struggle went by way of, and I’ve obtained him saying I pulled out.”
As an alternative, Edwards, who’s rated No. 2 by The Ring at 112 kilos, will flip his consideration to the dangerman of the division, Felix Alvarado, on the Sheffield Area in Sheffield, England, on Friday.
March 2022: Sunny Edwards outclasses and outpoints Muhammad Waseem to retain IBF title
On paper, it seems to be the traditional boxing matchup of boxer vs. puncher: Edwards is likely one of the sport’s finest pure boxers, whereas Alvarado is considered some of the fearsome punchers in boxing’s decrease weights.
“I believe he’s a more durable struggle than Martinez,” mentioned Edwards. “I believe he’s extra devoted and extra disciplined. He’s excellent, he’s very crude, he’s very highly effective. He throws lots of photographs, works arduous. I really feel like he begins barely gassing on the again finish of his fights, particularly his newer fights.
“He appears to be like at me like everybody within the division and strikes up as a result of not one of the [junior flyweight] champions wished to unify towards him, as a result of he’s harmful — I relish that.”
Nonetheless, Edwards questions the extent of opposition on which the Nicaraguan has constructed his status.
“I do assume when he’s stepped up at school, he’s obtained beat by [Juan Carlos] Reveco and [Kazuto] Ioka,” mentioned the 26-year-old. “In my eyes, if you happen to take a look at his file, yeah, it’s spectacular knocking out a load of individuals, however there ain’t no title on his file that he’s beat that stands out to me as, ‘Oh, you beat him, that’s a very good win.’ That’s once I begin questioning all these knockouts.
“I may have matched myself to get extra knockouts. I’m not as a lot of a pillow-puncher as individuals assume. However that doesn’t trouble me, as a result of every little thing they’ve been advised, every little thing they’ve been getting ready for, now they’re considering not solely is he a far superior boxer to me, however he can really whack a bit.”
Edwards is able to forged his internet additional afield and go massive sport searching in 2023.
“I don’t want a safety program; I’m able to swim with the sharks. I am the shark. I’m the primary within the division,” he proclaimed. “Simply because I do it in a barely extra poetic method, the place I pores and skin you inch by inch for 36 minutes somewhat than attempt to put a gap in you. I do know who’s extra uncovered. Individuals somewhat get right into a back-and-forth struggle with an opportunity of knocking one another out than towards the child who has to this point been principally unimaginable to hit.
December 2021: Sunny Edwards out-slicks Jayson Mama to defend title
“I wish to be part of some occasions. If I can get an enormous struggle or unification, in fact, however proper now it doesn’t appear probably. I take a look at all of them junior bantamweights and so they’re fights I may and ought to be getting, even a few of them bantamweights.
“The one I’d look to discover most after Alvarado is ‘Bam’ Rodriguez due to the extent of opposition, the plaudits and the credit score you’d get from that struggle. That’s a struggle I want. It’s additionally two English-speaking fighters, the place we will have it forwards and backwards. He’s additionally very humble and respectful, however I’m certain I may drag one thing out of him.”
Alvarado, who’s rated No. 9, misplaced world title makes an attempt to Ioka (UD 12) and Reveco (UD 12) early in his profession. “El Gemelo” rebounded with 15 wins to safe a shot on the vacant IBF 108-pound belt. He stopped Randy Petalcorin (TKO 7) in October 2018 and made two profitable title defenses. The aggressive 33-year-old vacated his title to maneuver up in weight, seeking additional glory.
Questions and/or feedback may be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
