Charlie Edwards defeated Thomas Essomba in a carefully fought bout to win the European bantamweight title at York Corridor in London.
Essomba pressed Edwards laborious when he got here again into the competition, however the Croydon man in the end gained a unanimous determination, 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112.
Edwards was within the uncomfortable place of seeing his brother, Sunny, in his opponent’s staff. Former world champion Sunny Edwards manages and advises Essomba and was backing him even in opposition to his personal brother.
Charlie Edwards might need been unruffled by that, nevertheless it was Essomba’s abilities that made this a tough contest.
Essomba, a Cameroonian Olympian, pressed ahead, sometimes switching from southpaw to orthodox.
He cracked Edwards with agency photographs to maintain him below strain.
However the challenger made used of his speedy footwork, shifting place back and forth, denying Essomba possibilities to pin him down.
Edwards had begun the bout nicely, however Essomba introduced himself proper into the competition.
Edwards although reeled off a triple jab and whipped his cross in as he steered himself by means of to a victory in a contest that was nearer than the scorecards urged.
A former world champion down at flyweight, profitable the European bantamweight crown was a useful step ahead for Edwards within the division.
He needs a grudge match with former gym-mate Paul Butler however is positioning himself for a future world title too.
“Thomas is a tricky operator,” Edwards stated after his European title win. “That puts me in a very good position. I’ve got options everywhere.”
His promoter Kalle Sauerland added: “Tonight European champion, back on the way to the world title. That’s where he belongs.
“We’ll take pleasure in tonight, European title within the financial institution, world title subsequent.”
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