Croydon’s new world champion Charlie Edwards lets emotions go after winning WBC flyweight title

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Charlie Edwards was full of emotions after winning the WBC world flyweight title at Greenwich’s 02 Arena last weekend. 

The Croydon boxer, 25, won a unanimous decision over Cristofer Rosales – with scores of 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111. 

Edwards dedicated the biggest moment of his career to his mum Terry, who is in a wheelchair after battling cancer. 

He said: “I’ve dreamed about this from a young age. I’ve given this sport everything – even through the ups and downs I’ve never stopped believing. 

“I was always a mummy’s boy growing up. It really hurt when she went through what she went through. I always promised her the belt, even in the last world title fight. 

“When I got beaten in that, that broke me more than anything. This time I just knew I was coming of age. That was for her. It was a proud moment. 

“I felt comfortable in there. I thought he would punch a lot harder. I shocked myself because I think I gained his respect very quickly early on with a few shots. He was a very, very tough man. 

“The main thing was sticking to my gameplan. I couldn’t take my eye off the ball for one second. 

“Although he was coming forward I thought I was controlling the rounds. I was making him miss quite wide, which made him look out of control. I was popping him with single shots, which was part of the gameplan. We didn’t want to get into a stand here, you hit me and I hit you situation because he is strong. 

“Everything went smoothly.” 

Edwards wants unification fights. And he admits the jump in stature will hopefully be able to benefit his mum. 

“The main thing is I wish I could spend more time with her,” he said. “The one thing she made me promise is to go and live my dream. 

“And that’s why it meant so much to bring that world title back to her. I’m up in Sheffield [his training base] and I get little time to go back home and spend quality time with her. 

“I would hope now that I’m getting settled in Sheffield properly, I want her to get on the property ladder now. Hopefully she will move up and we can get close again. 

“She has a bit of money she wants to invest. If we can get in a cul-de-sac that would be lovely. 

“I love the city. I was there at 15 when I was on the GB [amateur] squad. It’s always held a big part of my life. Grant Smith [trainer] has turned me into a different fighter. 

“And most of all I feel loved. When a fighter feels loved and cherished it makes the partnership so much better. 

“He is the only man who is obssessed with the sport 24-7, like me. We’ve got such a brilliant partnership that there is going to be so much more to come.” 

Edwards’ promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Fighters now at the lower weights are a lot luckier than they were 10 years ago because there are big fights for flyweights and super-flyweights. But they do tend to come in America. 

“Charlie has had to fight for average money to get the shot. But that’s just how it goes – if you want to bring a champion into your backyard. 

“Now he has got to reap the rewards of that. Rosales gave us the opportunity. Whether there is a rematch or we go for a unification – it’s all to be decided. 

“Eventually these guys take a giant leap and it is whether they are good enough or ready. A lot of people might not have been sure he is good enough [after losing his first world title challenge to John Riel Casimiro in 2016] until he steps back in.”