A pair of former titlists flip to one another searching for a return to the win column.
Sunny Edwards and Adrian Curiel are formally set to fulfill, Matchroom Boxing confirmed on Sunday. Their scheduled 12-round flyweight bout will happen on June 29 at Footprint Middle in Phoenix, Arizona.
The matchup will function the chief help to the already-announced Juan Francisco Estrada-Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez RING/WBC 115-pound championship.
“It is a nice battle between two males determined to get again to the highest,” famous Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport. “Sunny was a World champion for a very long time. When that feeling goes, you wish to get it again as quickly as attainable.
“Adrian solely simply tasted that for himself for a short while. So, each males know that this can be a must-win battle to get again into the combination. [It] comes because the chief help to one of many greatest fights of the 12 months.”
Each fighters come off crushing stoppage defeats to finish their respective title reigns.
England’s Edwards (20-1, 4 knockouts) returns to the larger Phoenix space to exorcise his previous demons. The beforehand unbeaten flyweight titlist suffered his lone defeat to Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs) final December 16 in close by Glendale. Their IBF/WBO unification bout ended after 9 rounds, when Edwards’ nook determined that he was accomplished for the night time.
The result spoiled the U.S. debut for Edwards and ended his IBF title reign which dated again to April 2021.
“I’m actually excited to get the subsequent chapter of my profession underway,” mentioned Edwards, The Ring’s No. 2-rated flyweight. “Agreeing one other cope with Matchroom which confirms my future right here for the foreseeable future. With the idea I’ve received in me from the promotional staff… I do know I’m in the best place.
“Me vs Curiel is a hell of a battle. He’s a former world champion, like myself. We’re each combating to get again into world title rivalry. I’m going to Arizona once more and combating in entrance of an excellent larger crowd this time, stuffed with passionate Mexican and American boxing followers. 29 June, I’m wanting ahead to being again.”
Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs) strikes up in weight after his temporary title stint.
The Ring’s No. 3-rated junior flyweight gained the IBF belt in a stunner. Mexico’s Curiel knocked out South Africa’s Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) within the first spherical final November 4 in Monte Carlo.
Nontshinga, No. 2 at 108, regained his title simply three months later. Curiel sprinted out to an early lead however was stopped within the tenth spherical of their thrilling February 16 rematch.
The bout stays among the many greatest in an already action-packed 2024. Nevertheless, Curiel prefers a destiny extra notable than a second-place end.
“I’ve a brand-new alternative for my profession,” mentioned Curiel. “If you lose, you be taught, and I’ll show it towards Edwards on June 29.
“In the event that they wish to make it 112lbs we’ll take it regardless that this isn’t my weight. All as a result of I’m thirsty for revenge. Viva Mexico!!”
Jake Donovan is a senior author for The Ring and vice chairman of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
