IBF flyweight champion Sunny ‘Showtime’ Edwards 20-0 (4) believes his upcoming fight against WBO counterpart Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez 18-0 (11) at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on December 16 will encourage other top boxers in the lighter weight classes to face each other.
The 27-year-old Brit could be forgiven for staying in his lane and picking off mandatory challengers every nine months.
But Edwards, who won the belt in a boilover against veteran two-time champion Moruti Mthalane 40-3 (26) in April 2021 and has made four successful defences since, knows that both recognition and money lies in unification bouts.
“I love what I do. Bam is probably one of the best fighters in the world at the lower weights so why wouldn’t I want to fight him?” Edwards said to talkSPORT.
“I get bored with the easy fights. I don’t even get up for training. I don’t get up for camps and my diet will be terrible. As soon as I knew I had Bam, 15 or 16 weeks out I’m switched on. It’s easy.
“I’d rather train like this. I know I’m gonna win but regardless of what happens I want big fights. I don’t need no confidence boosting or momentum building or coming back. Just big fights and keep it moving.
“I’ve had a couple but like Bam said, I think this is the biggest fight for both of us. It’s probably the biggest fight in the division right now.”
San Antonio southpaw Rodriguez, 23, was the breakout star of 2022. In February last year he stepped in at late notice to jump up two weight classes and win the vacant WBC super flyweight title against Mexican veteran and former world champion Carlos Cuadras 41-5-1 (28) by unanimous decision.
Next up he defended his strap against former two-time world champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai 53-6-1 (45) in June, stopping him in eight, before outpoint Israel Gonzalez 28-5-2 (11) in September.
This year saw Rodriguez settle into the flyweight division where he was crowned WBO champ after outpointing Cristian Gonzalez 15-2 (5) for the vacant title in April.
The bout between Rodriguez and Edwards will boost the profile of both boxers who compete just one weight class below pound-for-pound stalwarts Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez 51-4 (41) and Juan Francisco Estrada 44-3 (28).
“I do think its gonna set off a fire that’s gonna ignite around the lower weights,” Edwards said. “After me and Bam – and whatever happens on that night happens – but it’s gonna be a big event with a lot of promotional eyes on it. Then, everybody that we fight afterwards will benefit. Everyone that jumps into the storyline will benefit off what we’re doing.
“This isn’t normal for flyweights. Headlining a big show, big build up. Flying to America for press and then coming back here, this is abnormal for flyweights. Trust me.”
