IBF world flyweight champion Sunny Edwards: The best of me beats anybody else

Sunny Edwards believes he is unbeatable when he is at his best – and plans to prove that in his unification battle withJesse Rodriguez at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona tonight.

Edwards (20-0, four KOs) finally gets the blockbuster showdown that he’s been craving after becoming the IBF champion in April 2021 with a trademark classy win over Moruti Mthalane in London.

A pair of successful defenses in Dubai followed in December against Jayson Mama and in March over Muhammad Waseem before victory in defence number three followed in Sheffield over Felix Alvarado.

It’s a first ever unification bout for both men as WBO king Rodriguez (18-0 11 KOs) returns to the state where he landed his first world title back in February 2022 when he defeated Carlos Cuadras to land the WBC super-flyweight strap. The San Antonio star defended that title twice with wins over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Israel Gonzalez before becoming a two-weight champion on home turf in April by seeing off Christian Hernandez.

Edwards is in no doubt in his mind that he adds a second belt to his waist on Saturday night and says it doesn’t matter who is in the ring, if he’s at his best, there’s only ever going to be one winner.

“I don’t have to overthink it – I know the best of me is capable of beating anyone at this weight and the weights above,” said Edwards. “After I beat Bam, I feel there’s a lot more still to come. That’s the first step, unified champion of the world, it sounds good. Bam has got quick hands, good feet, heavy hands as well. He’s a great fighter, but he’s not been in with me yet.

“I was made for this. I’ve never had anything else. I’ve never done anything else. I’ve never really wanted anything else. I don’t do it for anyone, to make anyone proud. If anything, the compliments and the flattery makes me feel uneasy. Everywhere I’ve gone throughout my life I’ve had people saying nothing but good things about how good I am.

“I feel like my last fight was a kind of pre-season for this one. This fight was always spoken and thought about. I’ve stayed in the gym straight out of that fight in June and I’ve applied myself, so I am genuinely raring to go.

“I like a build-up, but that’s more for the fans than for me, I like them to be excited for the fight. Maybe I’m more of the spiteful one, the outspoken one, the confident one. Whereas he’s a very good fighter but he seems uneasy in public, he isn’t happy in front of the camera, he’s not confident in front of groups of people. If he wasn’t a boxer, you wouldn’t see much of him at all.”

PICTURE: ED MULHOLLAND/MATCHROOM