Edwards beats Mthalane to claim IBF flyweight world title

Sunny Edwards becomes the second member of his family to win a flyweight world title after putting on a masterclass to beat South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane to claim IBF belt

  • Edwards produced sublime display to inflict a first defeat on Mthalane in 13 years
  • The classy display earned a unanimous 118-111 120-108 115-113 points win
  • The 25-year-old follows his brother Charlie in becoming a world champion 

Sunny Edwards has become the second member of his family to win a flyweight world title after a near-flawless performance against South African veteran Moruti Mthalane.

The 25-year-old, younger brother of former WBC champion Charlie Edwards, took the IBF belt by inflicting Mthalane’s first defeat since 2008 at York Hall on Friday night.

With the exception of a handful of moments in the final three rounds, when he was caught with single shots, Edwards was masterful in keeping Mthalane at range, and dominated the 38-year-old with his jab and excellent movement. 

Sunny Edwards (above) followed his brother Charlie in becoming a world champion

He rarely expanded into concerted flurries, but controlled the fight from a distance in winning 118-111, 120-108 and 115-113 on the cards.

Edwards, who improved to 16-0, said: ‘It was nothing less than I expected. I have been saying it all the way through.

‘I knew it would be hard and he was good at closing the gap. I had it 7-5 or 8-4 and I didn’t like the 120-108 but I felt I deserved to win and their corner said I deserved to win. It might not be pretty all the time but I am hard to beat.

The 25-year-old took the IBF belt by inflicting Moruti Mthalane’s first defeat since 2008

‘After the sixth round he came quick for seven and eight and I was tying him up well but I heard him breathing and I thought another round or two and he will flag. When I started letting my hands go I was scoring.’

He added: ‘I am glad I put on a show against a great champion. He will give nightmares to other fighters. I am happy. This is what I came here for.’

Promoter Frank Warren said: ‘It was a masterclass, the art of boxing. That was one of the best performances I have seen in years from a British boxer. He has just beaten the No 1 fighter in the world. If Floyd Mayweather was watching that he would say that was a fantastic performance.’




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