Sunny Edwards Takes Jayson Mama to School
The long-anticipated title defense finally took place as the IBF flyweight champion, Sunny Edwards (17-0, 4ko), schooled mandatory challenger Jayson Mama (16-1, 9ko).
Mama has been waiting for a long time for this title fight. He was first slated to fight then IBF champion Moruti Mthalane in December 2020. Unfortunately, the bout was scrapped due to issues with the boxing regulatory body, Boxing South Africa. Furthermore, he was supposed to fight Edwards for the title back in September. But, the IBF champion pulled out due to an injury.
Edwards shocked the world by wrestling the title away from Mthalane on April 30. Moreover, he did not hesitate in fulfilling the terms of the IBF agreement that the winner must face Mama next. The IBF champion is a pure boxer with good footwork and likes to explode with lighting combinations. Moreover, he is always in excellent condition, fighting like a man with an endless gas tank.
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IT GOT UGLY EARLY
Both fighters came out looking to establish their game plan. Edwards was confusing the challenger by switching from orthodox to southpaw, landing punches from different angles. Mama was pressing the action, at times landing the straight right to the body.
Edwards suffered a cut above the forehead from a clash of heads in the second round. However, he kept landing counter punches that kept his opponent at bay. Mama was aggressive and came forward with good body shots. However, the IBF champion used footwork to dodge the punches and landed sharp right-hand counters.
As the fight continued, Edwards started finding a groove as his superior footwork and hand speed were causing problems for Mama. Switching from orthodox to southpaw, Edwards landed a lead right and left-hand shots. Moreover, he dictated the pace with more accurate counter-punching while avoiding return fire.
THE CHAMP WAS DOMINATE TILL THE END
Edwards, going into the championship rounds, fought primarily out of the southpaw stance. He was doing whatever he wanted while landing a pole-like jab followed by the straight left-hand. Mama kept coming forward, walking into the jab, and never took his head off the centerline.
In the tenth round, Edwards’ entire arsenal was on display as he side-stepped a wild right-hand by Mama and landed a right hook on the ear, knocking down the Dominican fighter. It began to look like target practice as the IBF champion continued to land counter after counter. At one point, he even fought with his hands down, dodging punches, then landed crisp, sharp counters.
Jayson Mama was trying his best to corner the champion by landing body shots. Edwards used that superior footwork and spun out of the corner, ripping off three unanswered punches. The British champion danced around the ring landing counters punches. This brought the crowd to their feet as the final bell sounded.
When the cards were tallied, one judge scored it 119-110 as the other two had it 118-109, all in favor of the champion. Edwards was successful in the first defense of the title while handing Mama his first loss.
Edwards excited the crowd even more during the post-fight interview by calling out WBC champion Julio Cesar Martinez.
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By: Garrisson Bland
