Sunny Edwards

Sunny Edwards intends to live up to his star billing as the best flyweight on the planet by making light work of Felix Alvarado on Friday.

Edwards came face-to-face with his dangerous mandatory challenger at today’s press conference ahead of their IBF world title showdown at Probellum Sheffield later this week.

The top-level flyweight showdown headlines a major card at the Utilita Arena, with Jack Bateson vs Shabaz Masoud acting as the brilliant co-main event – and tensions boiled over when the British rivals squared off.

Security had to intervene as a heated exchange between the pair became physical and the anticipation for their British super bantamweight title final eliminator has been ramped up several notches.

But Edwards, known as ‘Showtime’, is the main attraction in the Steel City this week and he plans on proving why there is no other 112lbs fighter that can touch him.

The unbeaten IBF world flyweight champion, Sunny Edwards said: “Alvarado is a great champion from the weight below but I genuinely think I’m past his level, I believe I am at elite level.
“We’ll find out if this will be my toughest fight. I’ve had ‘tough’ fights, but I’ve made them not look that.”

Probellum’s Head of Talent Relations, Sam Jones said: “Alvarado is a fantastic challenger, a world class challenger but he is dealing with the best flyweight in the world. Sunny Edwards has pound-for-pound quality.”

Felix Alvarado, who has 33 KO wins on his fearsome record, said: “The opponents Sunny has fought are different to me and on Friday, he will find this out.”

Jack Bateson and Shabaz Masoud have fired warning shots at each other ahead of their barnstorming battle of top British prospects.

Bateson and Masoud clash in a sizzling super bantamweight showdown at Probellum Sheffield on Friday night – and both men have rubbished big claims from their rival.

Leeds hero Bateson has poured scorn on Masoud being the betting favourite and insists ‘Maverick’ has heaped pressure on himself with his pre-fight confidence.

Stoke’s Masoud is certain of “comfortably” beating Bateson and says he sees plenty of weaknesses in the former medal-winning Great Britain amateur star.

Bateson and Masoud come head-to-head at today’s press conference in the Steel City and the tension between the pair is simmering as fight night nears.

Jack Bateson (17-0) said: “I’m not sure why Shabaz is the favourite with the bookies, but it’s a mistake, that’s for sure!

“And he’s going to be in for a shock if he thinks he wins comfortably.  If he’s taking me lightly, then let him.  I can’t wait to leave him in shock.

“He’s a good fighter but I believe I am better; a better boxer, a better fighter and whatever he brings on the night, I believe I will do it better.  He’s obviously full of himself, he’s confident but so am I, and this means it’s going to be a great fight.”

Shabaz Masoud (10-0) said: “In all departments, I am the better fighter and on Friday night I am going to show that.

“He’s got a lot of strengths, but he’s got a lot of weaknesses too.

“If you’re making loads of mistakes, we are going to capitalise – and I think he is making loads of mistakes, but we’ll see on Friday.

“I can beat him comfortably.  If I can be better than someone in every department, then why can’t I beat him comfortably?!  I think I’ve got a better boxing brain; I think I’m stronger, sharper and the better fighter.”

Boxing fans have given their seal of approval to the Bateson vs Masoud scrap and applauded two of the country’s most promising fighters for agreeing to meet.

Bateson’s WBA Intercontinental belt is on the line at the Utilita Arena, but the fight is also a final eliminator for the British super bantam strap.

Bateson added: “He is putting all the pressure on himself because, apparently, it’s going to be an easy night’s work.  He’s the favourite with the bookies, he’s talking himself up to have this easy night on Friday, while I’ve been staying quiet.

“I’ve dealt with pressure and come through it.  This is a big night for him, and he’ll be nervous.  For me, it’s just another night.”

Masoud said: “I want to put respect on my name and after this fight I will truly get appreciation.  That is what I’m here for, I don’t care about anything else, I’m here for the respect.  People are going to value me and think ‘woah!’.

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Lord of the flyweights Sunny Edwards defends his IBF title against Felix Alvarado on an exceptional night of boxing in Sheffield.

Edwards headlines Probellum’s debut show in the Steel City on Friday, November 11 at the Sheffield Utilita Arena.

And on one of the most exciting cards to be staged in UK boxing this year, unbeaten super bantamweight prospects Jack Bateson and Shabaz Masoud clash in a British title eliminator that fans have been raving about.

Edwards, one of the world’s most skilled and charismatic champions, makes a third defence of his IBF crown against the dynamite-fisted Nicaraguan Alvarado (38-2, 33KOs), a former title holder at the weight below.

And ‘Showtime’ (18-0, 4KOs) knows he must not slip up against his mandatory challenger because a future showdown with US star Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is on the line.

Sunny Edwards said: “I have become one of the most avoided fighters in world boxing, but Felix Alvarado has the courage to face me on November 11, and that makes him an extremely dangerous opponent.

“I have grand plans to become the undisputed flyweight world champion, and then move through the weights, and I am totally confident that will happen – but there is no room for error against a fighter of Alvarado’s calibre, that’s for sure.”

Felix Alvarado said: “I am ready for this fight against Sunny Edwards, and I want to thank God for allowing me the opportunity to achieve my dream of becoming a two-weight world champion.”

Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum, said: “Pound-for-pound, Sunny Edwards is one of the most skilled fighters on the planet and on November 11, you will get to see ‘Showtime’ perform at his very best.

“Sunny also has the type of personality and charisma that makes him a must-see attraction in boxing and Probellum is thrilled to be able to deliver this world title defence, and special fight card, to his adopted hometown of Sheffield.”

Bateson and Masoud have captured the imagination of the British fight fraternity after agreeing to meet so early in their careers.

Boxing fans have grown tired of talented prospects avoiding each other but Leeds hero Bateson (17-0, 4KOs), and Stoke favourite Masoud (10-0, 3KOs), pushed for the fight to be made.

A final eliminator for the British title, the showdown will also see Bateson’s WBA Intercontinental belt on the line in Sheffield, with an army of fans set to travel from the fighters’ hometowns to support their man.

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