SUNNY Edwards defeated Adrian Curiel by ninth-round technical decision in Phoenix. Boxing for the first time since Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez handed him a first career loss, Sunny was tasked with whetting the appetite for Bam’s battle with Juan Francisco Estrada.
It didn’t all go to plan, although Edwards secured the victory and appeared to win most of the rounds, using his full box of tricks (an acquired taste for many) to outmaneouvre Curiel at every turn before a cut in the sixth eventually led to the premature cards in round nine.
Switch-hitting early on, Edwards employed those aforementioned trademark moves, sliding around southpaw Curiel, dipping into his shots from a variety of angles. The pro-Mexican spectators were not as appreciative of Sunny’s approach. Edwards no doubt blocked that out, almost revelling in their growing displeasure.
June 29, 2024; Phoenix, AZ; Sunny Edwards and Adrian Curiel during their fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel/Boxing News
Curiel aimed a mini-headbutt at his antagonising foe as Edwards danced and clowned at the close of the fourth. Prior to that incident, Mark Nelson implored both men to watch their heads following an untidy scuffle in round three. It was a portentous instruction from the veteran official as Curiel’s cranium opened up a horror gash on Sunny’s forehead in round six.
They carried on until the ninth, when the doctor closely inspected the cut, calling time on the bout. While the frustrated crowd eagerly waited for Estrada and Bam to engage in a war, the judges were more sympathetic to Sunny Edwards’ activities, awarding the Croydon man a comeback victory by scores of 90-82 (Victor Loughlin), 88-84 (Omar Mintun Sr) and a rather odd 87-85 from Chris Wilson who must’ve found something he liked from Curiel.
Having turned pro in 2016, Edwards is now 21-1 with only four KOs. Despite not being a puncher, he has developed an effective style that wins fights. Curiel, who had previously built a portfolio of evidence to show that he belonged at this level, could not launch effective attacks and fell to 24-6-1 with just five KOs.
June 29, 2024; Phoenix, AZ; Sunny Edwards and Adrian Curiel during their fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel/Boxing News
“I don’t expect no favours when I come to America, I thought I was way clear ahead,” said Edwards, referencing his previous Stateside experience, as the crowd booed his responses.
“I wish the fight was still going on now. I felt comfortable. I was cruising. Galal Yafai, I’m ready.”