Sunny Edwards (18-0, 4 KOs) retained her IBF flyweight title in Dubai tonight with a unanimous decision victory over Muhammad Waseem.
The champion commented during the build that he believes Waseem isn’t good enough to be in the ring with him. And in the first round, Edwards puzzlingly reacted to a stab from an unsuccessful challenger.
A fighter we would expect to be elusive and capitalize on his opponent’s mistakes, Edwards started with his front foot to assert his authority. Sharp counter-attacks, upper body strikes, and long-range attacks proved that Edwards was a super fighter, but his overconfidence would eventually allow Waseem to enter the fray.
The 34-year-old Pakistani (12-2, 8 KOs) had to rely on chasing Edwards around the ring and making the most of his time on the strings with 26-year-old Brit. Waseem had a clear body-following tactic and in the third round hit a powerful finish in the final minutes to show that this may not be as overnight as we initially thought. However, part of his success is due to the champion’s willingness to trade and invite pressure. It would be a dangerous tactic for the better boxers but you wouldn’t expect him to repeat it because of it.
Each fighter begins to receive warnings about illegal activity. And in innings six and seven, Waseem’s chances of winning were gone as one point was deducted for excessive holding and then another for head use.
Edwards will continue to showcase moments of world-class boxing. A long-range one-two phase while moving and backing on the right hand caught the attention of number 8order. In recognition of Waseem’s credit, he had to go back to work at the last minute making life as uncomfortable as possible for ‘Showtime’.
From 9order Edwards started showing what we thought he could do from the start. Movement, upsets the enemy’s rhythm and makes it nearly impossible to knock anything down on him. School was nearing the end. Waseem appeared tired, Edwards continued to glide and was finally at a level that the challenger could not reach.
Boxing Social had Edwards win 118-108 but the three judges in attendance had a different opinion and saw it closer. 115-111, 116-110 and 115-111 again. It’s not important. Edwards hears ‘And still…’, which could set him on his way to America to unify with WBC champion Julio Cesar Martinez.
Image: Probellum
