Blood is thicker than water.
Charlie Edwards dismissed European bantamweight titleholder Thomas Essomba by 12-round unanimous decision. Scores were 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112 for the former WBC flyweight titleholder in their Channel 5 main event Friday at York Hall in Bethnal Green, England.
Essomba is run by Sunny Edwards, Charlie’s younger brother.
Any family ties were put aside on Friday as the elder Edwards held on to hold on for the win. Essomba, who represented Cameroon at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics before seeking asylum in the UK, got off to a good start. He used his pressure to swarm Edwards in the opening round.
Edwards, 31, found his rhythm and found a home for his powerful right hand. Over the next few rounds he really found a foothold in the fight.
Essomba picked up the pace just as the fight threatened to get away from him. He had more success in the middle rounds, forcing Edwards to trade.
However, once Edwards was able to slow the pace and use his superior footwork, he once again controlled the action. Intending not to go lightly, Essomba, 36, charged back and landed a striking right hand that snapped Edwards’ head back.
After 10 rounds, respected commentator Barry Jones’ scorecard had the fight tied.
Edwards (20-1, 7 KOs) knocked out Essomba (13-9-1, 4 KOs) in the championship rounds to clinch the victory.
Not one to stand on ceremony, Edwards and promoter Kalle Sauerland of Wasserman Boxing talked about the win and what could be on the horizon.
“I’m a real champion, that’s why I wanted to dethrone the champion to be European champion,” said Edwards. “And that puts me in a very good position now, I have options everywhere. All the world titles are over in Japan.
“I’m ranked high, I’ll probably be pushed up now that I’m European champion. Mr. Honda, I’d like to get out there and take a belt from one of your champions.”
However, he wore a T-shirt that called out a fellow British fighter.
“(Paul Butler) a two-time former world champion, old gym mate, (former trainer) Joe Gallagher, I’ve had personal problems with him – I’m coming,” he said. “This was a personal fight with my brother and now it’s going to be another personal fight for me, (Gallagher) tried to steal this fight from me and put Paul Butler in the mandatory (position) and the mandatory pressure before Thomas she volunteered. Guess what Joe? You are my obligation and I am coming for you.”
While Sauerland believes a fight with Butler can be fought, he seemed more determined to go on to world honours.
“He won the European title tonight (and is) back on his way to the world title, that’s where he belongs – such an elite fighter,” said Sauerland. “Those big titles are in Japan, I’ve done big shows with Mr. Honda done there. It’s an open line, first call on Monday will be to Mr. Honda but Charlie has an agenda, he’s wearing the t-shirt so we’ll just enjoy ourselves tonight. European title in the bank, world title next.”
An All-British showdown with Paul Butler would position the winner to challenge for another world title.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at (email protected) and you can follow him
Twitter @AnsonWainwr1ght
