Former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards is set for a high-profile clash with fellow Brit and amateur rival Galal Yafai next month. Now, just weeks away from the domestic dust-up, it has been announced that Edwards will have a new trainer in his corner.
London-born Edwards has trained at Sheffield’s Steel City Gym under the guidance of the well-respected Grant Smith throughout his professional career and often being seen in the corners of his stablemates in what seemed a close-knit team in South Yorkshire.
During that time, we have seen Edwards develop a reputation as one of the most impressive defensive fighters to come out of the United Kingdom, regularly making his opponents look foolish by slipping and sliding out of exchanges with ease and speed – his footwork right up amongst the best in the sport.
Here's 3 𝙂𝙇𝙊𝙍𝙄𝙊𝙐𝙎 minutes of unbeaten @SunnyEdwards making opponents punch nothing but fresh air 💨 pic.twitter.com/bhbq4AZBWq
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) March 20, 2021
Those skills saw Edwards rise to the world level in 2021 as he outpointed Moruti Mthalane to pick up the IBF crown, before making four defences of the title ahead of a unification clash with pound-for-pound superstar Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez back in December.
Unfortunately for Edwards, Rodriguez was a step too far and ‘Showtime’ was dominated when they met in Arizona, picking up a first career defeat as he retired in the corner.
Still, Edwards’ personality saw his reputation grow in the United States and he has since been able to get back into the winning column with a technical-decision victory over former IBF light-flyweight title-holder Adrien Curiel, in what was a second consecutive Arizona appearance.
However, Edwards is now set to return to the United Kingdom as the inevitable meeting with Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai awaits and ahead of the tantalising scrap, Liverpool-based Chris Williams confirmed that he would be training Edwards.
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“Made up to be working with showtime @sunnyedwards for his next fight, the end of November against Galal Yafai.
“Expect a heavy performance in 8 weeks’ time.”
Williams also trains UFC sensation Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, as well as British super-flyweight duo Ryan Farrag (22-4) and Brandon Doard (10-0).
Edwards-Yafai takes place on November 30th in Yafai’s hometown of Birmingham, as the pair top a card that features an intriguing step-up for highly-rated prospect Cameron Vuong, as well as an all-action between front-footed welterweight pair Conah Walker and Lewis Ritson.
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