Sunny Edwards says he is happy to be the underdog as his first world title fight edges nearer.
The 25-year-old Brit will challenge South Africa’s dominant IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane on Friday night at York Hall live on BT Sport.
The fight represents a significant step up in class for the unbeaten Edwards (15-0, 4 KOs) who has long been tipped for world title success. Edwards is confident of continuing the recent trend of wins for the underdog after the likes of Mauricio Lara and Lennox Clarke both upset the odds against red-hot favourites Josh Warrington and Willy Hutchinson, respectively.
“I am pretty happy to be considered the underdog,” Edwards said.
“They have been on a great run recently and especially since boxing went behind closed doors. It is a trend I am confident of continuing.”
Edwards believes Friday’s fight will go the 12-round distance and says he will have to ‘move around’ for the fight’s entirety. The challenger added that 38-year-old Mthalane (39-2, 26 KOs) is an avoided fighter and admitted he is getting in the ring with a ‘beast’.
“He is heavily avoided, we know that. I think he’s had like 10 world title fights and nobody has ever given him a unification shot. He has proved time and time again he will be the away fighter, even as a world champion.
“I think you have to understand the beast I am getting in the ring with, to be honest, I do.
“I do genuinely feel honoured to be sharing a ring with him. I just need to win and having that world title would mean the absolute world to me and it would put me up there with the top British fighters right now.”