Sunny Edwards beats Adrian Curiel but leaves frustrated at lack of discussion on Gamal Yafai bout – South London News

Sunny Edwards has expressed his frustration at failing to secure a national bantamweight clash against Gamal Yafai.

Edwards, from Croydon, won a technical decision over Adrian Curiel on Saturday night in Texas.

The bout went to the scoreboards after nine rounds when the 26-year-old suffered a deep vertical cut above his right eye from a headbutt.

Edwards is now 21-1 (four KOs) and has returned to winning ways after having his first fight since losing his IBF world title to Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in December.

The south Londoner is looking to take on Birmingham southpaw Yafai, who won gold at the 2020 Olympics and is 7-0 in the professional ranks.

But Edwards isn’t sure that will happen. He said iFL TV: “I asked seven times and probably five different people — all with real good insight — and not one person said ‘yeah, the fight’s over’ or ‘yeah, that fight’s almost over.’

“One of the top people, I’m not going to say who, said, ‘Oh, we can do something else.’ I don’t think Galal (said no to fighting).

Maybe it’s his team or maybe it’s bigger – (that there is no) world title. There will always be an excuse.

“Who’s a bigger name in the flyweight division than me right now? Especially now that Bam (Rodriguez) is having a hell of a time (by gaining weight).

“Because of me (they want to see the Yafai fight). When they fight, nobody cares. Let’s be real, even if I like him, he’s my friend.

“Galal is a good fighter – but I’m just saying wise names. Until someone fights me, no one cares about him. This is what it looks like from my perspective. I don’t hear people really talk about the fly unless I’m involved.”

Edwards was unhappy with the way they won against Mexico Curiel (24-6-1).

He said: “I listened to the instructions and did what I was told. He went back to “Sunny’s box”. Now I can’t rate how good those rounds are because I love the fight.

“It was disappointing overall. Not that anyone cares, but my entire boxing career always seems to have something going on – even when I’m winning. I won my world title behind closed doors in front of 30 people.

“I defended her twice, nobody really cared. Then when we lost, people started to care again.”

PHOTOS: MELINA PIZANO/BOX CAMELÁ

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