Sunny Edwards Moves On from Martinez to Hard-Hitting Muhammad Waseem
Probellum Promotions has announced that Sunny Edwards (17-0, 4 KO’s) will make the second defense of the IBF flyweight title against Muhammad Waseem (12-1, 8 KO’s) on March 19 at the Duty-Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, Unites Arab Emirates.
BAIT AND SWITCH
It’s been quite the whirlwind for the defending champ. He was seeking a fight with WBC 112-pound champ Julio Cesar Martinez. In fact, negotiations were taking place. However, things apparently stagnated, and Martinez has now decided to fight Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez at 115 pounds. Edwards took to social media to give his side on why a fight with Martinez is not happening.
CAN’T BYPASS THE OPPORTUNITY
Instead, the 26-year-old from London will face Waseem. Ranked first by the WBA and third by the IBF at 112 pounds, the 34-year-old is more than a competent challenger. He’s coming off a tough unanimous decision win over Rober Barrera in November of 2021 in what was a WBA flyweight world title eliminator.
Rather than wait it out in hopes of facing WBA flyweight champ Artem Dalakian, Wassem decided to jump at the opportunity when Team Edwards called. The adage in boxing is, when offered a world title try, you take it.
This is the second world title shot for Waseem. In July of 2018, he lost by decision to Moruti Mthalane for the vacant IBF flyweight title. Plagued by managerial/promotional issues, it could very well be now or never for the fighter from Pakistan.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
