THE return of Sunny Edwards could take place this summer in America.
It would be the second consecutive fight Stateside for the 28-year-old having lost to Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in Arizona in December. ESPN report that a fight between Edwards and Mexico’s Adrian Curiel is a possibility for June 29 in the chief support slot to Rodriguez challenging Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBC super-flyweight title.
Edwards was dropped heavily in the ninth round against Rodriguez before trainer Grant Smith pulled him out at the end of the session. The evidence of the Texan’s powerful shots could be seen in the swelling under Edwards’ eyes as well as cuts to the nose and right eyebrow. That victory saw Rodriguez unify the flyweight division and end the Brit’s three-year reign as IBF champion.
Edwards has since talked about moving down to light-flyweight and had one eye on the winner of last month’s IBF 108lb title rematch between Curiel and Sivenathi Nontshinga. The return bout arrived three months after Curiel had sensationally produced Upset of the Year and Knockout of the Year contenders in Monte Carlo when he blasted the South African out in the second round.
Fighting back home in Mexico for his first defence Curiel found Nonthshinga a tougher nut to crack. The challenger endured attack after attack from the champion until the 10th round when landed three right hands and threw a flurry of shots which forced a standing eight count from referee Mark Calo-oy. With less than 40 seconds to go in the frame Nonthshinga launched another attack forcing Calo-oy to stop the fight.
Nontshinga, who like Edwards is promoted by Matchroom, has hopes of unifying the light-flyweight division against WBC belt holder Kenshiro Teraji. However he will first have to face another rematch, this time against mandatory challenger Christian Araneta. Earlier this month the IBF officially ordered the bout with both parties having until April 4 to conclude an agreement or face it going to purse bids. Araneta has won his last five fights since losing to Nontshinga on points three years ago in a non-title bout.
