Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing are flying after the recent signing of ‘Boots’ Ennis, and now they can look forward to more fights with another top star in the shape of Britain’s Sunny Edwards.
On Sunday the Essex promotional behemoth announced that former IBF flyweight king Edwards (20-1 with 4 wins inside distance) has agreed a new pact with them, and confirmed his next fight into the process.
Edwards will clash with Adrian Curiel in a 12-rounder which acts as the chief support to that blockbuster world title clash between Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse Rodriguez in Phoenix, Arizona on June 29 (live on DAZN).
For Sunny, it’s an immediate return to the state where he met headline star Rodriguez in a unification clash in December. The Briton faced ‘Bam’ in Glendale with his IBF title on the line against the WBO king, but was stopped in the ninth round of a thrilling battle.
The 28-year-old will be looking to regain the IBF belt after Bam vacated it to face Estrada, a title that he took from Moruti Mthalane in London in April 2021 and successfully defended four times before facing Rodriguez.
Curiel (24-5-1 with 5 KOs) moves up in weight after two dramatic world title clashes with Sivenathi Nontshinga. The Mexican challenged the South African in Monte Carlo for the IBF World Light-Flyweight title in November and stunned the champion with a KO Of The Year-contending right hand in the second round to rip the crown away. The pair met again in a rematch in February in Oaxaca, Mexico, but this time it was the former champion that exacted revenge in a thrilling battle with a 10th-round stoppage.
Sunny Edwards on Matchroom deal
Edwards spoke after signing his new Matchroom deal, revealing: “I’m really excited to get the next chapter of my career under way. Agreeing another deal with Matchroom which confirms my future here for the foreseeable future.
“With the belief I’ve got in me from the promotional team and the events I’ve been involved in, I know I’m in the right place.
“Me vs Curiel is a hell of a fight. He is a former World Champion, like myself, and we’re both fighting to get back into World title contention.
“I’m going to Arizona again and fighting in front of an even bigger crowd this time, filled with passionate Mexican and American boxing fans. 29 June, I’m looking forward to being back.”
Curiel gets a new beginning
Meanwhile Curiel explained: “I have a brand new opportunity for my career. When you lose, you learn, and I will prove it against Edwards on June 29.
“If they want to make it 112lbs we will take it even though this is not my weight, all because I am thirsty for revenge. Viva Mexico!!”
