Charlie Edwards Dethrones Thomas Essomba, Claims European Bantamweight Title
Blood is thicker than water.
Charlie Edwards defeated European bantamweight Thomas Essomba by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. The results were 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112 for the former WBC flyweight in their main event on Channel 5 on Friday at York Hall in Bethnal Green, England.
Essomba is owned by Sunny Edwards, Charlie’s younger brother.
Any family bond was put to the side on Friday, as the elder Edwards bit to preserve the victory. Essomba, who represented Cameroon at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012 before seeking asylum in the UK, got off to a good start. He used his pressure to pin Edwards in the opening round.
Edwards, 31, found his rhythm and found a home for his powerful right hand. In the next few rounds he got a real footing in the fight.
Essomba picked up the pace when the fight threatened to get away from him. He had more success in the middle rounds, forcing Edwards to trade.
However, once Edward was able to slow down and use his high feet, he regained control of the action. Essomba, 36, was not going to slow down and went back and landed an eye-catching right hand that knocked Edwards back.
After 10 rounds respected commentator Barry Jones’s scorecard had the fight a draw.
Edwards (20-1, 7 knockouts) outworked Essomba (13-9-1, 4 KOs) in the championship round to win.
Not one to stop at the event, Edwards and promoter, Kalle Sauerland, of Wasserman Boxing, talked about the victory and what could be next.
“I’m a real champion, that’s why I wanted to overthrow the champion to become the European champion,” said Edwards. “And now that puts me in a very good position, I have options everywhere. All the world titles are gone in Japan.
“I’m ranked high, maybe I’ll be promoted now that I’m European champions. Mr. Honda, I’d like to go out there and take the belt from one of your champions.”
However, he was wearing a t-shirt calling out another British fighter.
“[Paul Butler] two-time world champion, old gym partner, [former trainer] Joe Gallagher, I had personal problems with him – I’m coming,” he said. “This was a personal dispute with my brother and now it will be another fight for me. [Gallagher] he tried to steal this fight from me and put Paul Butler in a bind [position] and push the coercion before Thomas acts of his own free will. Guess what Joe? You are my responsibility and I will come to you.”
Although Sauerland believed the fight with Butler was doable, he seemed more determined to continue the world’s honors.
“Tonight he won the European title [and is] going back to the top of the world, that’s where he belongs – a top-class fighter,” said Sauerland. “Those big titles are from Japan, I made big plans with Mr. Honda over there before. It’s open, the first call on Monday will be to Mr. Honda but Charlie has an agenda, he’s wearing a t-shirt so we’re going to go but tonight we’re going to enjoy tonight. European title in the bank, world title next. “
The all-English tournament with Paul Butler will put the winner in contention for another world title.
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