Billy Joe Saunders is determined to secure his legacy and the next few years will determine whether he is able to do just that.
The two-weight world champion might have business to deal with in four-weight world champion, Canelo Alvarez on May 8th, 2021, but it appears the current WBO Super Middleweight world champion already has one eye on the future.
Standout amateur, Lewie Edmondson inked a managerial deal with Saunders alongside MTK Global and is benefitting under the 31-year-old’s experience.
Edmondson (4-0) has been operating at Light Heavyweight since turning over after a stellar amateur career which saw the Southampton native amass 52 victories and claim three-nations titles, just missing out on a place at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
A technically sound operator, the 25-year-old moves in and out of range, never staying in the pocket for too long and times his shots with accuracy and precision, whilst switching between orthodox and southpaw stances with regularity.
‘The Saint,’ who is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions takes a step up in class and opponent on Saturday, after securing a stoppage win over John Telford, facing former Commonwealth champion, Luke Blackledge.
A durable and tough fighter, Edmondson will have natural size advantage over his foe after Blackledge spent much of his career at Super Middleweight.
“I think I’ve got it bit of it all,” Edmondson said on a media call.
“I can go forward, I can box on the back foot, I can box long, I can get stuck in.”
Edmondson has spent time training alongside his manager out in Fuerteventura and in Rainham, Essex.
Saunders has previously sparred with Edmondson and ’The Saint,’ who sees his future at 168lbs, insists he is grateful for the support from Saunders in and outside of the ropes.
“We’ve sparred before, he’s unbelievable, he’s unreal,” Edmondson added.
“It’s brilliant to learn off, it’s very good.
“[He’s told me] stay composed, stay sharp, stay in the gym all the time, stay fit and grab every opportunity you get with both hands.”
Saunders believes that both Edmondson is destined to become a world champion, having seen him first hand and during a period where boxing was surprisingly excluded from the £300m government bailout, Saunders believes it remains imperative to invest in the next generation at the earliest point and provide them with the opportunities to excel on the biggest stages.
“When you see young talents coming through,” Saunders said on a media call.
“You can spot world elite talent coming through that you believe can be world champions, it’s nice to work alongside them.
“I believe that them two there [Edmondson and Donte Dixon] managed by myself and co-managed with MTK [Global], I believe that they can be world champions too, guided with the right advice and right fights.
“To get on these bills, just to be seen on these bills, I think it’s very important even for these promoters to see these young talents because these are the future coming forward.
“All of the AJ’s, myself, the Fury’s, all the big names in the UK, we’re not going to be around for the next 10 years that’s for sure, where these guys are.
“It’s important to get them seen early and get that stamp on them where people go ‘do you know what, we’ll have him’ and get their careers and guide them on the right path towards world titles.”
It remains early days for Edmondson, but his early promise certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially by Saunders and an impressive display on Saturday night will go some way towards verifying Saunders’ strong belief in them.
