The British number 28 entered the match with the desire to regain form after losing to Jesse Rodriguez last time. In an attempt to get back to winning ways, Edwards took on Mexico’s Curiel in Phoenix, Arizona.
Headlining the fight, Sunny Edwards, the reigning IBF Flyweight champion, is heavily favored thanks to his impressive record and technical prowess in the ring. Renowned for his skillful movement, sharp counterattacks and tactical intelligence, Edwards was expected to use his skills to overcome Curiel.
On the other hand, Adrian Curiel is considered an underdog. However, the Mexican boxer is famous for his ability to apply relentless pressure, endurance and powerful punches. Many believe that if Curiel can turn the fight into a brawl, he has a chance to confuse Edwards and possibly pull off an upset.
From the opening bell, Edwards demonstrated why he is considered one of the top flyweights in the world. His footwork was perfect, allowing him to dodge Curiel’s powerful advances while landing with precision. Edwards’ jab was the key weapon, keeping Curiel at bay and setting up his combinations.
Curiel, true to his reputation, kept the pressure on. He was constantly moving forward, trying to close the distance and deliver heavy blows. Despite being countered cleanly, Curiel showed remarkable resilience and continued to push the pace, hoping to catch Edwards with a punch that would change the outcome of the match.
As the rounds progressed, Edwards’ superior boxing skills became increasingly apparent. His ability to throw punches and counter effectively frustrated Curiel, who struggled to land significant blows. Edwards’ movement and general ability were on full display, making it difficult for Curiel to find his rhythm.
In the later rounds, Edwards began to assert his dominance more clearly. He coordinated his punches very smoothly, targeting both Curiel’s head and body. Despite Curiel’s best efforts to turn the fight into a more tense contest, Edwards’ tactical acumen and defensive ability kept him in control.
The former flyweight champion controlled his opponent for eight rounds before the fight was stopped following doctor’s recommendations. Despite his dominance, he did not escape the contest unscathed. Edwards was bleeding profusely after an accidental head collision with Curiel. The incident left him with a nasty cut above his eye. After winning by technical decision, Edwards was booed by the crowd. Responding after taking the mic, he said: I don’t know if the crowd realized what happened there. The doctor stopped the cut without any decision from me, I’m more upset than any of the 10,000 fans here. I left Arizona in worse shape than when I arrived two times in a row, so I want to apologize to the fans for taking this personally, but I had nothing to do with the referee stopping the game This. Maybe I’ll go back to fighting Curiel again, don’t know what the fans want.
