British flyweight champion, Sunny Edwards experienced his first professional defeat in a dramatic American debut as he fell to defeat in the hands of Jesse Rodriguez, who he was facing for the IBF and WBO unified flyweight belts.
However, his American opponent dominated the bout, ultimately putting Edwards down for the first time in his career. The fight was stopped at the conclusion of the ninth round, which marked Rodriguez’s victory, crowning him as the new IBF and WBO unified champion.
Throughout the contest, Rodriguez displayed superior skills, outboxing Edwards, who had previously defended his IBF crown four times since capturing the title in 2021. By the time the fight was halted, Edwards, who had an unblemished record of 20-0, was trailing on all three scorecards (89-81, 87-87, and 87-83).
The defeat ended Edwards’ impressive unbeaten streak and relinquished his IBF flyweight championship, which he had secured with a decision over Moruti Mthalane in 2021. The 27-year-old fighter faced one of the toughest opponents in his career, a 23-year-old American who improved his record to 19-0 with this victory.
Rodriguez reflected on the match, expressing satisfaction with his performance and emphasizing his ability to draw out a version of Edwards that proved challenging for the British fighter. Rodriguez highlighted Edwards’ speed and intelligence but asserted that he ultimately made him want to fight, resulting in the decisive knockout.
Edwards, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Rodriguez as the better man on the night. While reflecting on the fight, he admitted it was a great contest but recognized that the American emerged victorious.
The outcome of this high-stakes match not only ended Edwards’ undefeated run but also signaled Rodriguez’s ascent in the flyweight division. With this victory, Rodriguez solidified his position as the new champion of the flyweight division, leaving Edwards to regroup and reassess his future in the wake of his first professional loss and the end of his title reign.
Leon Osamor
