Edwards’ Corner Slammed After Yafai Loss – ‘They Have A Duty Of Care’

December 2, 2024

2 months

Edwards’ Corner Slammed After Yafai Loss - 'They Have A Duty Of Care'

Sunny Edwards’ corner came under fire following his sixth-round stoppage loss against Galal Yafai.

Edwards lost for the second time in his career as he announced his retirement from the sport. It was shocking news from the former WBC Flyweight Champion, who is still only 28 years old. But before the stoppage took place in round six, Edwards made it clear that he did not want to continue via his mindset.

After suffering a strong body and head attack in round two, Sunny went to his corner to tell his trainer, Chris Williams, the following: “Can I be real with you? I don’t want to be in here.” There is an argument that the fight should have been stopped immediately to prevent Sunny from sustaining any further damage. However, it was allowed to continue, much to Sunny’s disadvantage, as it merely prevented the inevitable.

Sunny Reacts

“For the first time ever I’ve been more thinking and concentrating outside of the sport. My family; my kids. I’ve been going through some stuff in my personal life that I’m trying to set up for the future. But I knew Galal was going to be a hard fight – I said it the whole way through. Maybe I didn’t think as hard as it turned out to be tonight, but all props to the best man. He more than won tonight. If I was him I’d class myself as a world champion – he beat the number one in the division, very conclusively,” Sunny said

Tim Tszyu’s corner also suffered criticism for his loss against Sebastian Fundora. Tszyu was dominating the earlier rounds. However, the fight changed when Tim accidentally connected with Fundora’s elbow. This resulted in a big cut over Tszyu’s hairline that continued to bleed. Tim’s corner should arguably have stopped the fight immediately. The Australian admitted his vision was hampered for the rest of the fight as he sustained further punishment. Cutmen spoke out against Tim’s team.

Duty Of Care

“I only know what I observed, which was poor technique, a lack of knowledge about knowing the rules of an unintentional foul that is bleeding in his eyesight. [The fight] is not being stopped – you can have that fight stopped inside of four rounds. I would have talked to the doctors in between [the rounds]. [And] I would have talked to the corner. I am going to be honest with the corner, say ‘This thing is going to bleed. You can get this fight stopped if it is an unintentional foul.’ It will go to a no-contest and you will get a rematch. I don’t know if any of that was talked about,” Mike Bazzel said

Their indecisiveness may have left Tim no longer the same. Tszyu’s following fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev was a one-sided beating. He was dropped four times in that bout, as the Australian questioned his career for the first time. And in a sport where one punch can change a career, fans slammed Sunny’s camp for their response during the fight.