Sunny Edwards

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Sunny Edwards, born on January 1, 1996, in Sutton, London, grew up in a family deeply immersed in the sport of boxing. His older brother, Charlie Edwards, a former WBC flyweight champion, served as a significant influence and inspiration. Sunny began boxing at a young age, training alongside his brother and developing his skills under the guidance of their father, a dedicated boxing coach. Edwards’s amateur career was marked by impressive achievements and rapid progress. He first gained significant attention in 2013 when he won the ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) National Youth Championships in the flyweight division. This victory established him as one of the most promising young talents in British boxing.

 

In 2014, Edwards further solidified his reputation by winning the gold medal at the GB Junior and Youth Three Nations Championships. Competing against the best young boxers from England, Scotland, and Wales, Edwards showcased his technical prowess and tactical intelligence, securing the top spot in his weight class. Edwards’s international breakthrough came in 2015 when he represented England at the European Youth Championships in Poland. Competing in the flyweight division, he advanced to the later stages of the tournament, gaining valuable experience against top European opponents. Although he did not medal, his performance demonstrated his potential to compete on the international stage.

 

Another notable achievement in Edwards’s amateur career was his participation in the 2015 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships held in St. Petersburg, Russia. Despite facing tough competition, Edwards displayed remarkable skill and resilience, further establishing his credentials as a rising star in amateur boxing.

 

Professional Career

 

He made his debut against Sergey Tasimov in Estepona, Spain, securing a points victory over four rounds. This marked the beginning of a promising career for the young fighter from Sutton, London. Edwards quickly built an impressive record, showcasing his skills against a variety of opponents. By May 20, 2017, he had already earned a notable victory over Gyula Dodu with a first-round TKO at the Copper Box Arena in London. His rapid progress continued, and on November 27, 2017, he captured the vacant WBO European super-flyweight title by defeating Ross Murray with a fourth-round TKO at Grange St. Paul’s Hotel in London.

 

In 2019, Edwards achieved significant milestones. On July 13, he won the vacant IBF International super-flyweight title by defeating Hiram Gallardo via unanimous decision at The O2 Arena in London. Later that year, on December 21, he claimed the vacant British super-flyweight title by securing a unanimous decision victory over Marcel Braithwaite at the Copper Box Arena. These victories cemented his status as a rising star in the flyweight division.

 

Edwards’s most notable achievement came on April 30, 2021, when he won the IBF flyweight title by defeating the experienced Moruti Mthalane via unanimous decision at York Hall in London. This victory propelled him into the spotlight, showcasing his ability to compete and succeed at the highest levels of the sport. He successfully defended his title multiple times, including victories over Jayson Mama on December 11, 2021, in Dubai, and Muhammad Waseem on March 19, 2022, at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai.

 

On November 11, 2022, Edwards retained his IBF flyweight title with a unanimous decision win over Felix Alvarado at Sheffield Arena in England. He continued his successful run with another unanimous decision victory against Andres Campos on June 10, 2023, at Wembley Arena. These defenses underscored his dominance in the flyweight division and his commitment to maintaining his champion status. However, Edwards faced a major setback on December 16, 2023, when he lost his IBF flyweight title to Jesse Rodriguez by a ninth-round RTD at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. This bout also contested the WBO flyweight title, adding to the stakes. Despite this loss, Edwards’s professional career remains distinguished by his technical skill, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges in the sport.