At the top of a Wasserman-promoted show at York Hall, Charlie Edwards became the new European bantamweight champion with a clear points win against Thomas Essomba.
Edwards was previously a WBC flyweight champion and was last seen in April, scoring a wide points win over Georges Ory. Essomba 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.
As a sub-plot to the fight, Sunny Edwards, Charlie’s brother, was in Essomba’s corner as his manager.
It was a quiet opener that the champion possibly shaded, but Edwards warmed to his task, and although he wasn’t able to land many clean shots, an uppercut found the mark in the third.
The 31-year-old was controlling the action with smart boxing and movement, and the Cameroonian was struggling to nail the challenger down and he was being outworked.
The 36-year-old finally came to life in the sixth, as he landed with several eye-catching left hands, and his progress continued as he enjoyed a solid seventh.
Edwards (20-1, 7 KOs) got the better of round eight, but Essomba (13-9-1, 4 KOs) was using his height well, responding well to his rival’s attacks, and he connected with a cracking left hand in the tenth.
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Both sensed that the fight was close, as they began to open up in the penultimate frame, but Edwards’ work was the smoother, and as the bout went into the final round, it looked all to play for.
Edwards finished well, driving Essomba back, and the two postured and celebrated as the final bell sounded.
The Surrey man was declared the new champion by scores of 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112.
A world title shot beckons for Edwards, although he has also called for a clash with former stablemate, Paul Butler.
Walland destroys Martinez
Tom Welland delighted his fans, as the featherweight prospect took out the usually durable, Darwing Martinez in two rounds.
A combination had Martinez (8-24-2, 6 KOs) over in the second, and he was down again shortly after from a hard left hand.
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A third attack from Welland (6-0, 3 KOs) had Nicaraguan on the deck once more, and the referee had seen enough.
Brown blasts out Dennis
Germaine Brown was all business, taking a third round stoppage at super middleweight against Grant Dennis.
Brown (14-3, 5 KOs) had Dennis (18-8, 3 KOs) on the deck in the second from a hard right hand, and he never truly recovered, with the same shot landing a round later, and with the 40-year-old rising on unsteady legs, the fight was waved off.
Germaine Brown closes the show with a heavy right hand 🧨@Ladbrokes | @SauerlandBros | #EssombaEdwards pic.twitter.com/KXftz15E76
— Wasserman Boxing (@WassermanBoxing) September 27, 2024
Remaining Undercard
Joel Bartell (7-1, 4 KOs) took victory in a cracker against Nikolas Dzurnak (7-8-2, 6 KOs), eventually winning with a body shot in the fifth round at middleweight.
Lightweight prospect Brandon Olbrechts (7-0, 2 KOs) impressed, winning all six rounds against Brayan Mairena (15-47-1, 9 KOs) in their lightweight contest.
Danny Boardman (2-0) was a 40-36 victor at featherweight against Yin Caicedo (10-22-4, 4 KOs), and Hannah Robinson (2-0) opened the show, with the super lightweight novice taking a 59-55 win over six rounds against Laura Reoyo (2-2).
Greeted by a raucous reception, Hasnan Ali (0-1) suffered a disastrous debut, stopped in the opening round by Tommy Sans (4-0, 1 KO).
