Sunny Edwards inarguably has the gift of gab – trash talk, specifically – but he also has shown grace in defeat.
Edwards, the loquacious and skilled flyweight, took some hits last December against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and openly admits that the better man won that night. However, during a press conference on Thursday, Edwards aimed sharp comments at both his Saturday opponent, Adrian Curiel, and 108-pound titleholder Sivenathi Nontshinga.
Edwards will return to the ring in a 12-round flyweight bout against Curiel, a former titleholder, and the winner will have a strong case for being recognized as the best in the division in the wake of Rodriguez and Julio Cesar Martinez moving up to junior bantamweight.
At Thursday’s presser, Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs), 28, from London, sat on stage beside his promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn. Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs), 25, from Mexico, was running late and did not attend the presser – but that didn’t stop Edwards from delivering a heartfelt monologue ahead of an attempt at his first win in the United States.
“I have never really wanted easy competition,” Edwards said. “I have relentlessly chased down hard fights. I just like making people feel something.
“I think getting a win in America is what I need to do after the first time didn’t go so well.”
Edwards spoke sincerely about his experience fighting in front of fans in Arizona, where he fell to Rodriguez, as well as his future aspirations: “No, Eddie, I don’t want an easy eight-rounder or an easy 10-rounder against a British kid who doesn’t have much of a chance to beat me.”
Hearn highlighted how Edwards, initially booed in the Rodriguez fight, earned cheers after showing his toughness and willingness to take a loss in stride. Then Edwards reverted to heel form: “This time I am in with a fighter that I think isn’t half of my last opponent.”
Edwards continued to take aim. He doubled down on his criticism of Nontshinga, who regained his junior flyweight title after defeating Curiel. Nontshinga was knocked out by Curiel last November, but he bounced back to stop Curiel in their rematch in February.
“I don’t think Nontshinga or Curiel are the best of fighters,” Edwards said. “I think it cheapens a world title that either of them were world champions, if it is up to me.”
Edwards also mentioned his willingness to move to 108 pounds to fight Nontshinga, but he claimed that “Nontshinga refused to negotiate a fight with me.
“I fight anywhere,” Edwards said. “I’ll fight any weight.”
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