SUNNY EDWARDS will return to America for his next fight on June 29.
The 28-year-old Brit faces Mexico’s Adrian Curiel at flyweight with both men looking to get back to winning ways.
Edwards vs. Curiel lands in the chief support slot to the Jesse Rodriguez-Juan Francisco Estrada main event at the Footprint Centre in Phoenix, Arizona.
Last December Edwards was in Arizona defending his IBF world flyweight title in a unification bout against WBO champion Rodriguez. Their highly anticipated encounter proved to be a showcase for Rodriguez despite the encouraging start from Edwards. At the end of the ninth round Edwards’ corner pulled him out saving him from further punishment.
In the days and weeks that followed Edwards, 20-1 (4), discussed moving down to light-flyweight with his eyes set on challenging Matchroom stable-mate Sivenathi Nonthshinga for the South African’s IBF strap at 108lbs.
Speaking to Boxing News after his first defeat Edwards said, “I know I can make it (light-flyweight) comfortably. It’s where I could drop down and look to fight. I don’t need tick-overs. Put me straight back in the deep end and I’ll go again.”
Nontshinga is hoping to unify the division against WBO champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez in June. Should that not materialise then a mandatory defence against Cristian Araneta – who Nontshinga defeated in April 2021 – could be his next fight.
Curiel, 24-5-1 (5), was on the wrong end of a defeat in a rematch of his own against Nontshinga in February. Despite having spectacularly knocked out “The Special One” in the second round of their bout in Monte Carlo in November a rematch clause ensured Nontshinga another shot at Curiel.
The two met in Mexico second time around and after 10 rounds Curiel was stopped in his first defence of the IBF light-flyweight belt. Having absorbed wave after wave of pressure Nontshinga found an opening and finished the 25-year-old in impressive fashion.
Should Edwards come out on top on June 29 then another world title opportunity may present itself. But there is also the option of a domestic dust-up against the unbeaten Galal Yafai who also fights under the Matchroom banner.