Some fighters go into each battle realizing that ability, guile, and toughness are their weapons as a result of, as soon as the primary bell sounds, they’re virtually sure to have to listen to the bell sounding on the finish of the twelfth to safe victory.
IBF flyweight titlist Sunny Edwards is a type of guys. Edwards has solely 4 knockouts in nineteen begins and that doesn’t appear to hassle him. Confronted with no worse than the second greatest opponent of his profession, Edwards rose to the event in a number of methods versus former Jr. flyweight titlist Felix Alvarado.
Early on, Edwards boxed brilliantly. Edwards was entering into his photographs, maintaining Alvarado off steadiness and utilizing his ft to depart Alvarado throwing at air. Edwards may need received the primary six rounds with solely the third being significantly shut.
The struggle modified within the seventh and have become a brand new battle from there to the tenth. Edwards slowed a bit and Alvarado got here on, clubbing away with energy photographs to the physique and more and more discovering a house for his proper hand. The tenth was a very entertaining three minutes. Alvarado went to work within the nook, battering an Edwards who fought again off the strands however was taking the worst of it. It regarded just like the struggle was heading towards a dramatic end.
It was.
It turned out the drama can be offered by Edwards.
After arguably shedding 4 rounds in a row, Edwards went again to working the perimeter within the eleventh and resumed the management he had within the first half of the struggle. The twelfth had moments for each however Edwards appeared to do sufficient there as nicely. When it mattered most, Edwards closed the present. He’s an actual fighter, by means of and thru. The place does that take Edwards subsequent?
Futures: Earlier than the winner, a fast touch upon the loser. Alvarado gave a great account however his limitations have been uncovered in his first defeat in twenty-one fights. Alvarado’s solely different losses are to Kazuto Ioka and Juan Carlos Reveco so beating him has taken the next degree at his weights however that degree is fairly outlined versus the remainder of his resume. Alvarado is 33 so what number of extra probabilities he’ll have is questionable. He would no less than be an attention-grabbing opponent for somebody like WBA titlist Artem Dalakian.
Edwards says he desires unification and there was some chirping on Twitter between him and Bam Rodriguez. Rodriguez vacated his belt at Jr. bantamweight and can quickly struggle for a vacant WBO title at flyweight. Edwards has additionally publicly known as for a scrap with WBC titlist Julio Cesar Martinez. Each fights can be intriguing and the Rodriguez struggle would pit two excessive IQ boxers at odds in what may very well be a hell of a show. Edwards has now received 4 in a row in opposition to fighters ranked prime ten by TBRB or Ring with Alvarado and Moruti Mthalane ranked by each. Solely Junto Nakatani has an extended such streak. Let’s hope if Edwards goes for 5, he will get his unification want.
Jonas Goes Three for Three
On Saturday, Natasha Jonas made her case for feminine fighter of the yr with a decisive choice victory over Marie Eve Dicaire. Jonas added the IBF belt to a rising trophy case at Jr. middleweight. That’s three for 3 in 2022, successful a belt in every of her fights this yr. It was made all of the extra outstanding when one considers she had jumped from beforehand competing for titles at Jr. light-weight and light-weight. What can Jonas do as an encore in 2023?
Futures: Jonas is one belt from having all 4 of the most important alphabet straps in her class although the lineal crown continues to be owned, and claimed, by Claressa Shields. The WBA belt at 154 belongs to Terri Harper and a rematch with Jonas can be attention-grabbing. Harper and Jonas battled to a attract 2020 when Harper reigned at Jr. light-weight.
Jonas’ title has additionally been talked about by Shields and Jonas talked about her again after the struggle on Saturday. Would Shields come again to Jr. middleweight for the struggle or would Jonas problem on the increased weight? Jonas nonetheless appears to be like small at Jr. center regardless of her belts and may be wiser to give attention to Harper or a transfer right down to welterweight to chase undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskil. Two of these fights are winnable for Jonas. Shields isn’t although she’d get factors for making an attempt.
Cliff’s Notes…
Regardless of the borderline obnoxious overuse of the phrase ‘boogeyman’ in the course of the ESPN+ telecast, Janibek Alimkhanuly regarded precisely like he’s on Saturday. Alimkhanuly is a world class middleweight in his thirteenth skilled struggle. He bought good work from Denzel Bentley and actual resistance for the primary time as knowledgeable however he’s not all the way in which there but…Montana Love may not have actually thrown Steve Spark out of the ring Saturday, nevertheless it was shut sufficient and the disqualification was earned…Seniesa Estrada’s return to the ring was welcome. A unification struggle with Yokasta Valle at strawweight or the winner of Kim Clavel-Jessica Nery Plata at Jr. flyweight can be welcome and provides her a shot at lineal thrones in both class.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the Worldwide Boxing Analysis Group, and a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. He could be reached at [email protected]