Croydon’s Sunny Edwards loses his IBF world title in unification clash against Jess Rodriguez
Sunny Edwards has been dethroned as IBF world flyweight champion after defeat to Jesse Rodriguez in the United States last night.
The Croydon-raised fighter was dropped to the canvas by a big left hand in the ninth round.
Although Edwards beat the count his trainer Grant Smith pulled the 27-year-old out of the contest in Arizona.
The South Londoner had been hoping to add Rodriguez’s WBO title to his belt collection but instead suffered a first professional career defeat.
Left eye went in the 2nd from a sharp jab. Was seeing double the majority of the fight. Enjoyed every moment of the event grateful to be a part of it all.@210bam congratulations & well done on a great performance, been boxing 18 years & it’s never been like that. 👏 pic.twitter.com/xxQ6jbZTlm
— 21-0Sunny (@SunnyEdwards) December 17, 2023
Edwards had a deep cut above his right eye with his left also swollen and showing signs of significant damage.
“I’m bitterly disappointed, but grateful to be in the main event,” he told BBC 5Live. “Flyweight boxers, we don’t get this.
“I’ll be back. Boxing is all I’ve got. I’m just a bit disappointed my eye went so early on. But, yes, no excuses from me.
“My tricks that usually get me out of the way of shots, he was getting on to them.
“I just couldn’t see. From the second round, my eye was completely blurry and from about round six I got cut. It was getting hard in there, more through the vision.”
Edwards later took to social media platform X and added: Know there’s a few.. maybe a fair few that’s been waiting for me to fall off. This is your night, enjoy it and savour it. I’ll be back. Win, lose or draw – real fights only.”
MAIN PICTURE: ED MULHOLLAND/MATCHROOM
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