Sunny ‘Showtime’ Edwards (18-0) makes the third defence of his IBF flyweight title against former world champion, Felix Alvarado (38-2) this Friday in Sheffield.
Edwards won his world title back in 2021 when he delivered a masterful performance against Moruti Mthalane, ripping the belt away from the South African with his flashy skills and illusive style.
‘Showtime’ would travel to Dubai to make the first defence of his title, and would produce another stunning performance against Jayson Mama, as Edwards would floor Mama in round ten on his way to a wide points victory.
The champion would also head to Dubai for his second defence, as he would hand Muhammad Waseem the second loss of his career, as ‘Showtime picked up a unanimous decision.
Alvarado has not tasted defeat since 2014 and has strung 20 victories together since then. In 2018, Alvarado would reach world honours as he would stop Randy Petalcorin in seven rounds to pick up the IBF light flyweight title.
Alvarado would defend his light flyweight title twice before switching up to flyweight. Alvarado has ended his last two outings inside the distance, as he would vanquish Israel Vazquez is one round, before going on to stop Luis Cerrito Hernandez in four rounds.
The undercard sees the much-anticipated domestic clash between two undefeated super bantamweight prospects, as Jack Bateson (17-0) and Shabaz Masoud (10-0) contest Bateson’s WBA Inter-Continental title. Bateson picked up the title last time out when he outboxed Diego Ruiz over ten rounds to pick up a wide decision. Masoud comes into this off the back of a stoppage victory over Yoan Boyeaux, prior to that victory, he also picked up a unanimous decision over Bateson’s most recent opponent, Ruiz.
Thomas Essomba (11-7-1) and Marcel Braithwaite (13-3) finally collide after their bout fell through in July. The pair meet in a final eliminator for the British super flyweight title, with the winner hoping to earn a shot at the winner of Quaise Khademi vs Ijaz Ahmed, who contest the vacant belt in November.
Brazilian Olympic Gold medallist Hebert Conceicao (2-0) will look to make a statement as he makes his UK debut against Gideon Onyenani (4-1). Middleweight Ishmael Davis (9-0) will be looking to make it double figures in his win column this Friday.
Super lightweight Levi Kinsiona (9-2) looks to continue his momentum in his hometown. Light heavyweight Khalid Ayub (3-0) returns to the home of his second bout as he looks to move to 4-0. Nicolie Campbell (9-1) will look to continue his ascension up the super middleweight rankings.
2018 Commonwealth games gold medallist Lisa Whiteside (4-0) returns this Friday as she heads towards title fights. Former English flyweight champion Kyle Yousaf (17-0) is back fighting in front of his home crowd. Finally, Bradley Cousins (3-1) will look to bounce back from his defeat last time out.
Edwards and Alvarado top this stacked card that emanates from the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Friday night. The fight can be watched in the UK for free, as it will be shown live on the Fite TV app.