Sunny Edwards’ opponent nearly quit boxing as he suffered with depression
Sunny Edwards challenges for the vacant British super-flyweight title tomorrow night – with opponent Marcel Braithwaite admitting he was battling depression earlier in 2019.
Croydon’s Edwards (13-0), pictured above, is a big favourite to pick up the domestic strap.
Liverpool’s Braithwaite (9-1) has won two bouts on points since a defeat to Brett Fidoe in September 2018.
But he was out for eight months before beating Craig Derbyshire for the English title in October.
“I nearly walked away from boxing at the start of the year,” said the Scouser. “I came into 2019 on a loss and my trainer Wayne Smith talked me back into it.
“I was done. I wasn’t enjoying my life and at the time I was suffering from depression. It was hard.
“I was just wallowing. I was in a dark place, had low energy, low self-esteem and wasn’t enjoying life.
“I felt being around people was a burden for them, so I was avoiding situations.
“Wayne would phone me every day seeing how I was and reminding me what I was capable of.
“He got me to believe again and now I’m English champion and fighting for the British title on BT Sport.
“Wayne was a key factor and when he got me back in the gym he reminded me that a lot of the young kids in there look up to me.
“Things like that brought me out of depression. It was massive for me to get back in the gym and see the young kids watching me train.”
PICTURE BY KEITH GILLARD