Croydon’s world champion Charlie Edwards makes defence of belt on March 23 – with Joshua Buatsi challenging for vacant British strap

Charlie Edwards will make the first defence of his WBC flyweight title against Angel Moreno at the Copper Box Arena on March 23.

 

Croydon’s Edwards won a unanimous decision over Cristofer Rosales on Greenwich’s O2 in December, outclassing the Nicaraguan with a masterful display to take a well-earned unanimous decision.

 

Edwards, having lost out in his first bid for world honours against John Riel Casimero in 2016, said:

“Moreno is a very tough and game fighter.

“He’s a mature man and he doesn’t shy away from any opportunities, he’s going to come to try and steal my title from me. This is a fight that I’m very confident of winning and a fight that I can look really good in. I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring with him, I sparred him ahead of the Casimero fight but I’m a completely different animal now.

 

“This is only the beginning, this is a new chapter in my career and this is where the real hard work starts. I want to be an active world champion, I want to be in the ring fighting and getting better and pushing myself. I’m not in this game to take part, I want to be a multi-weight world champion. I look forward to taking my first steps as a world champion and defending my belt on March 23.”

 

Croydon light-heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi takes on Liam Conroy for the vacant British title in just his 10th fight. Buatsi blasted out Renold Quinlan at The O2 in December to bring up his third successive stoppage win inside the opening round.

 

“This is a good benchmark to see where I’m at,” said Buatsi. “My team see me day in day out in the gym and this is the title they feel I’m ready for. Liam has won his last five fights by knockout and he’ll be heading into the fight full of confidence.

 

“There’s a good title at stake and he knows there’s a big reward if he beats me. For me, it’s a big stepping stone and another box to tick on my way to the top. This is an important fight for my career and I need to get the belt to move on.”

 

“I believe I can overpower him,” said Conroy. “I don’t believe he’s been in a situation as a professional in which someone can overpower him. I also don’t think he’s been in with anyone who can take what he’s got to give, which I will be able to.

 

“There’s plenty of hype around him but he deserves it because he trains hard and has already proved himself at the Olympics. I haven’t got the name he’s got but I’m looking to change that come fight night.”

The show will be live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.