Edwards vs. Mthalane

Sunny Edwards will challenge IBF world flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane on Friday April 30 in London, live on BT Sport.

The Queensberry Promotions event will also feature the return of Michael Conlan, as he takes his first fight at super-bantamweight against dangerous opponent Ionut Baluta.

Edwards (15-0, 4 KOs) gets his crack at a world title after defeating every opponent to stand in his way so far, now taking on his MTK Global stable-mate Mthalane (39-2, 26 KOs) for his IBF title.

Mthalane is unbeaten since 2008, with the South African star currently on an incredible 16-fight win streak, that includes four straight world title defences.

Belfast hero Conlan (14-0, 8 KOs) is dropping to 122lbs for the first time, as he looks to move one step closer to a world title shot later this year.

Baluta (14-2, 3 KOs) is looking to cause another upset, heading into the fight on the back of two straight wins over TJ Doheny and David Oliver Joyce.

Edwards said: “Moruti is the most criminally underrated fighter, having not lost in 13 years and he is a proper, proper threat. This is no gimme or easy world title for Sunny – it is very, very far from that.

“I asked for this fight and, if you look back at press conferences or interviews, you can see that I have wanted it for some time. In my head, this is what was coming to me and it is finally here and I have got what I wanted.

“Now it is my chance to prove myself and this will be the best benchmark I could have. I have beaten Olympians and people who have mixed at European and world level, but this is real genuine world level. This is my introduction as I have not been there before.

“He is as legit as they come. A big puncher, 41 fights, 39 wins and 26 knockouts. If I go and do this, capture the world title in my 16th fight, nobody can really argue. This will qualify everything I have been saying – if I do it. Moruti is no pushover by any stretch of the imagination; he is a very, very, very good fighter.”

Promoter Frank Warren said: “There can be no doubting that Sunny is up against a top-drawer world champion. Mthalane possesses incredible experience and has beaten the leading guys around his weight, but I hope the timing is right for a changing of the guard at the top of the division.

“Sunny has demonstrated his readiness for taking on and, I hope, joining the elite and from his early days performing on our shows, I believed we had a special talent on our hands.

“It was up to us to recognise this by delivering the world title shot he craves and that is what we are doing. It will be a special night having Sunny fighting for a world title against a great champion.”

Conlan said: “I’m very excited to get back in the ring against Ionut Baluta on April 30. I know how tough of a fighter Baluta is, but I’ve been training hard since shortly after my last win in August and will be well prepared for victory. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show and can’t wait to get back in the ring.”

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said: “This is a big step up for Mick, as Baluta has pulled off quite a few upsets and is motivated to do so once again. Mick is close to a world title shot, and I expect him to be at his very best April 30.”

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