Sunny Edwards Retains IBF Flyweight Title

Sunny Edwards retained the IBF flyweight title by clear unanimous decision over former junior flyweight titlist Felix Alvarado in a mandatory defense on Friday in the main event of a Probellum card at Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England, Edwards’ hometown.

Edwards won 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 to retain the 112-pound belt for the third time.

“Every time I’m fighting I’m trying to test myself,” Edwards said. “Felix Alvarado is a phenomenal puncher and I sat there and mixed it with him. I showed I could ride shots, take shots, throw my own shots, and if I can do that against him then I can do it against anyone. He was a very hard puncher but I would not be denied.”

Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs), 26, was not denied, using his superior skills, movement and speed to outbox Alvarado (38-3, 33 KOs), 33, of Nicaragua, the former IBF junior flyweight titleholder, who vacated the belt last year to move up in weight.

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The slick boxing Brit Edwards had scored a unanimous 12 round decision over Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem in a title defense in the UAE back in March.

“I had the fight 8-4 or 9-3 (in rounds) in my favor,” Edwards said. “I don’t know what the some of the scorecards were about. I went up clear and then coasted it from there.”

Edwards wants to unify flyweight titles

Next, Edwards aims to land a bigger fight. He had hoped to fight WBC titlist Julio Cesar Martinez in a bout the camps were negotiating for September before Martinez walked away during the summer. He also would like to face Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who recently vacated the WBC junior bantamweight title to move down in weight to challenge for the vacant WBO flyweight title.

“I want the big fights. Martinez, he’s running scared,” Edwards said. “‘Bam’ Rodriguez you promised me the fight next. Come and get it.”