Charlie Edwards (12-1, 5KO’s) is set to battle Anthony Nelson (12-1, 2KO’s) for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Super Flyweight Title this Saturday, June 16th, at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England.
Charlie is trained by Grant Smith of Steel City Boxing Club in Shefield, who he was introduced to via his brother Sunny who is an undefeated professional and a close part of his team, as the two brothers push each other to new levels in becoming the best they possibly can.
Also rounding out the Edwards team is well known cutman Jamie Sheldon and the stellar amateur fighter Dalton Smith. What Charlie enjoys most is that it is not a big squad, because between just himself and his brother they do not get lost in a huge gym or on a deep roster of professional talent. They receive full focus.
The team is working towards creating a name for itself in the pro ranks, with a slew of amateur accolades between the team members including just for Charlie: two time ABA Elite Champion, European Bronze Senior Champ, Commonwealth Games representative, and five years as a Great Britain squad member.
Charlie has a nearly flawless professional record, with the lone outlier being the John Riel Casimero fight. Charlie took that world title shot having only eight professional bouts under his belt and paid a heavy cost for it, as he recounts the fight with a bit of darkness.
“It was like I’m fighting for my life – he was so experienced. It made me realize what I needed to do and what I need to do to improve further. It was a big learning curve – I showed what I am made of and showed heart. I wouldn’t give up for nothing, I could have went out in the fourth round when he uppercutted me but I didn’t. The ref did a helluva job, I could have gotten seriously hurt. Not to go to a dark place but I could have gotten carried out of the ring if it wasn’t for the referee because I am a fighter and I am not going to quit, ever.”
What Charlie takes away from that fight is a whole plethora of learning curves. For one, he was still very young and jumping in class multiple levels, as he says “I need my legs strong and underneath me, I learned that from the Casimero fight. I felt his presence and power in the very first round and I wasted a lot of energy throwing meaningless shots to try and keep him off of me. It was only my ninth professional fight at the time but I have that experience now.”
Since the Casimero fight Charlie has went 4-0 with 2 knockouts, including his best win to date over Iain Butcher which went the full twelve round distance and won him the Lonsdale belt, as he pitched a shutout on all three judges’ scorecards in the process.
For his upcoming bout against Nelson Charlie feels that he is going to have a rather easy go of things, saying “Styles make fights. He wants to get on your chest and work work work. He lets you hit him and then he wants to hit you. Styles make fights and his style is made for me.”
He is not looking past Nelson, but he does have the WBA world title in mind as he would love to fight the WBA World Champion Khalid Yafai. The two have had some beef as of recently, with both fighters exchanging some words ringside at a recent fight.
“Kal Yafai is the fight I want. I did lots of rounds in the amateurs with him and I have the style to beat him. He relies on people to stand in front of him and I have the footwork to beat him. I have his timing down from so many rounds in the amateurs and sparring and he knows it. If it’s the easy fight he says it is then why doesn’t he collect a nice payday and beat me?”
In closing, Charlie is very excited to be fighting for the Continental WBA Title, as he feels that it is no doubt a step towards achieving his dream of becoming a world champion.
“I love the WBA, it is a great belt and I am very excited for the opportunity to be a part of WBA history.”
