Charlie Edwards’ fight column: Fighting at York Hall is a unique place – I can’t wait to get back there
They call York Hall the spiritual home of British boxing.
Those old walls have seen the best fighters in British fight history perform and when that place is full, there is nowhere like it in the world.
We’re on course for York Hall to be packed to the rafters on Friday, April 12 and I could think of no better place to relaunch this, the second phase of my career where I start out on the road to becoming a bantamweight champion of the world.
I’m a son of Croydon, but now live in Portugal and train in Liverpool, so coming back to London next week will be amazing.
This will be my fifth professional fight at the Bethnal Green venue but coupled with bouts from my amateur days, I can conservatively say I’ve boxed there at least 10 times.
You will no doubt have heard people, fighters and fans, talk so warmly about York Hall, and everything you’ve ever been told is true. It’s a unique place.
And as I visualise my ring walk next week, being back under the lights, in front of the cameras, and with supporters close by at ringside and feeling on top of you in the balcony seats, it sends a shiver down my spine. A shiver of excitement and nerves but, mainly, one of anticipation – I can’t wait for next Friday.
My opponent Georges Ory is a very good fighter, he’s a former European champion and won a version of the world title at super flyweight, but I will bet that he has never experienced
anything quite like the red-hot atmosphere you only get at a packed York Hall.
I can’t allow myself to be caught up in the emotion of the night, even though it would be easy to, given the difficulties and challenges I’ve encountered over the last few years.
But what I can do, is use that electric atmosphere to my advantage because Ory will be feeling it. How could he not?
Hopefully some of you, who are reading this, can get a ticket and come along next Friday night. Your support is truly appreciated.
If not, then you can catch my fight, live and free on Channel 5 from 10pm.
Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F006066D0AC1A5F
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