In a bizarre family affair this Friday evening at York Hall, former world champion Charlie Edwards attempts to win the European bantamweight title from the champion, Thomas Essomba, who is managed by Charlie’s younger brother, Sunny.
Wasserman promote Edwards vs Essomba, while Channel 5 televise live in the UK.
Edwards (19-1, 7 KOs) has seen his stock drop in recent years, despite the Croydon man continuing an unbeaten run that has stretched to 11 fights since taking a late notice world title shot in 2016, where he was stopped by IBF flyweight champion John Riel Casimero in a spirited display at the O2 Arena. Edwards reset and learned his craft, and won the WBC flyweight title in December 2018 with a superb points win over Cristofer Rosales.
Edwards defended once, before a controversial no contest with Julio Cesar Martinez forced a move in weight.
Since then, ‘The Eagle’ has only boxed four times in four years, all against low-key opposition, and he was last seen in April, scoring a wide points win over Geroges Ory to take the vacant WBC International Silver title at bantamweight.
He will face a tough and experienced champion in Essomba (13-8-1, 4 KOs) a former Olympian who has never been afraid to travel and take dangerous opportunities. Born in Cameroon and now based in Sheffield, Essomba has been in with an impressive list of opponents, and despite having eight defeats on his slate, he has acquitted himself well each time, and has only been halted by Lee McGregor in the 12th and final round in 2018.
He has also been in with Sunny Edwards, losing on points in 2020. He travelled to Italy last May, and captured the European belt by outpointing Alessio Lorusso, before defending in his adopted Sheffield in February, taking a split decision against Elie Konki.
Prediction: Edwards starts as a heavy favourite for this one, and understandably so. Essomba will test him, but once Edwards negotiates a tough first few rounds, he can take over to take a wide enough win on the cards to become the new champion.
Wasserman prospects and enticing domestic clash fill the bill
The undercard is headed by a sole eight rounder, as Germaine Brown (13-3, 4 KOs) takes on Grant Dennis (18-7, 3 KOs). Brown has lost twice for the English title, in decent displays against Zak Chelli and Mark Jeffers, while Dennis has lost four of his last five outings, two inside schedule. Brown can take this one by stoppage.
In six round action, super lightweight novice Jesse Brandon (4-0, 1 KO) can go this distance for the first time in a points win against Miguel Angel Nunez (4-10, 1 KO). At middleweight, Joel Bartell (6-1, 3 KOs) can rebound from defeat to Jordan Reynolds last time out by taking a points victory over Nikolas Dzurnak (7-7-2, 6 KOs).
Lightweight prospect Brandon Olbrechts (6-0, 2 KOs) can also win over the distance against Brayan Mairena (15-46-1, 9 KOs), while at super lightweight, Hannah Robinson (1-0, 0 KOs) should also triumph on the referee’s scorecard against Laura Reoyo (2-1, 0 KOs).
Atomic @Tomwelland04 can let his hands go 🧨
He looks to make his pro record 6-0 at York Hall, September 27 👀@Ladbrokes | @SauerlandBros | #EssombaEdwards pic.twitter.com/cE6O9HEo5U
— Wasserman Boxing (@WassermanBoxing) August 15, 2024
The four round action is headed by the popular Tom Welland (5-0, 2 KOs), and the featherweight should win on points against Darwing Martinez (8-23-2, 6 KOs), while Danny Boardman (1-0, 0 KOs) should do the same, also at featherweight against Yin Caicedo (10-21-4, 4 KOs).
