Charlie Edwards is on a mission to capture a second world title, and he knows that the only person he can truly rely on is himself. The former flyweight world champion faces Sikho Nqothole on Friday night in a final eliminator for the IBF super-flyweight world title, a bout that could propel him back into the global spotlight.
Edwards lost his world title in 2019 and subsequently faded from the limelight, but he now believes he has the right mentality to seize control of his career. “Getting in the ring and going through a training camp is actually the easiest part,” he said. “When you're reliant and reluctant on A, B, C, D, E, F, and G around you, it's hard. I know it's business at the end of the day but we're fighters that put our lives on the line to make the promoters big, big money and put on shows. We get a cut of it and we do get looked after, and we get a good financial backing, but we don't really get 100 per cent in our favour. That's OK because the world's set up that way; when you're in business, it's not always 100 per cent in your favour and you've got to ride the rough with the smooth.”
Consistency and Inner Belief
The 28-year-old has faced doubters throughout his career, from his early days as a professional to his world title triumph. “The main thing I've learned over the years is to stay consistent,” he added. “It has been hard with the outside noise and people doubting me, but I've had that my whole career. I've had that since I turned professional; people never thought I would do it. Then I had it when I went into the John Riel Casimero fight in just my ninth fight chasing greatness. I got beat that night but then I bounced back two years later. A lot of people ripped me off and wrote me off again against Rosales, and I went and won the world title, and it's no different in this stage of my career.”
Edwards has been under pressure since his teenage years, winning European schoolboy gold at 14 and being tipped for the 2012 Olympics. “I've had pressure on me from a very young age and I've also had a lot of doubters along the way, but I've just got to stay consistent to myself, know who I am, and keep the good people around me, keep believing in that inner voice and keep chasing greatness,” he said.
Comeback Trail
Edwards’ career appeared to be on a downward trajectory last year when he lost to Andrew Cain, but he bounced back with a victory over Salvador Juarez. Now, he is one win away from another world title shot. “I feel like the best years are still yet to come,” he stated. “I haven't been in the ring a lot, but I've been on a good run now. I've had four fights in the space of two years - championship fights - and I've also fought at bantamweight, really a weight above my weight. I took the loss to Andrew Cain on the Frank Warren show where I won on one of the scorecards and it was a bit of a nothing fight. Hands up, it wasn't my best performance, but had I thrown a few combinations in a few of the rounds, I would have beat him, it would have been a comfortable win for me. I let myself down that night. It wasn't about Andrew Cain beating me, it was about myself beating myself through past pessimism, kind of mindset where I've been in against big punchers before and I chose to play it safe rather than have the faith to carry out and let my hands go a little bit earlier. But those are all lessons learned and I believe it's made me a much better fighter. Off the back of that, I come back against the Mexican, probably put on a career-best performance. Now this fight, going into this one, I'm full of confidence, back at my weight where I've had a fight at super-flyweight, so I know I can make it comfortably.”
Peak Years Ahead
Edwards believes he is entering the prime of his career. “I've just gone from strength to strength and my confidence is through the roof. I'm looking forward to putting on a show and I believe this is the best Charlie Edwards that you'll see. I'm only getting better, I'm coming into the peak years of my career now. Don't forget, I won the world title at only 25. That's a big ask for a young man and to understand what it brings along the way with the distractions, the going out to social events, getting caught up in being at all these social events and not feeling comfortable with yourself, and being insecure because you're still working yourself up. I've developed and grown into a mature man and this is the best time of my career to take over the whole super flyweight division and become a multi-weight world champion. That's my dreams and ambitions in this game - to chase greatness.”
