In a dramatic night of boxing in Birmingham, England, former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards has announced his retirement from professional boxing.
The decision came immediately after his sixth-round TKO loss to Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai during their battle for the interim WBC flyweight title.
Despite starting the fight with high expectations, things rapidly went downhill for Edwards as Yafai dominated the bout. The turning point came midway through the fight when Edwards revealed his growing doubts about continuing.
In a revealing moment caught on the broadcast, Edwards told his corner, “I don’t even want to be in here.”
Despite his team’s encouragement, Edwards struggled to keep up with Yafai’s relentless pace. The referee stepped in during the sixth round, stopping the contest after Edwards was pinned against the ropes.
Planned Retirement Despite Outcome
In a post-fight interview, Edwards confirmed that this would have been his final fight regardless of the outcome. “If I’m perfectly honest, win, lose or draw, I was retiring [tonight],” said Edwards, who exits the sport at just 28 years old.
This marked Edwards’ second professional loss, with his first defeat coming in a ninth-round stoppage against Jesse Rodriguez earlier this year during a WBC flyweight championship bout. Edwards had briefly returned to form in June, claiming an eight-round knockout win over Adrian Curial in Phoenix, but tonight’s outcome sealed his decision to step away for good.
A Strong Career Comes to Close
The London-born boxer retires with a professional record of 21-2. Notable wins in his career include victories over Muhammad Waseem, Felix Alvarado, and Andre Campos.
Edwards’ journey saw him capture flyweight championships and defend them successfully multiple times before his recent setbacks.
Meanwhile, Yafai’s victory cements his status as a rising star in the flyweight division. The Birmingham-born fighter showcased skill, power, and resilience, proving he is a force to be reckoned with moving forward.
For Sunny Edwards, his legacy will be remembered as one of grit and skill in flyweight boxing. Though his career comes to an early end, fans can reflect on the many exciting moments he produced inside the ring.
