Rather than killing his enthusiasm for boxing, Charlie Edwards insists that the frustrations he has endured over the past few years have reignited the drive and love of the sport that once carried him to a world title. 

Maybe most importantly, after years on the outskirts looking for a way back into a scene he was once such a prominent part of, the 31 year old feels wanted again. 

“It feels like a breath of fresh air,” Edwards, 18-1 (7 KOs), told BoxingScene. “It feels like my professional debut all over again. The time out of the ring has been very challenging and heart and soul-destroying. Now, I’m feeling wanted. The future’s very bright with Nisse and Kalle Sauerland and Wasserman. I’m excited about these next steps.”

The former WBC flyweight champion has boxed only three times since his title defence in 2019 against Julio Cesar Martinez ended in a controversial no contest but he makes his return to big-time boxing on Friday evening. Edwards will box at bantamweight, against former European champion Georges Ory, of France, live on terrestrial television platform Channel 5. 

Edwards had been sidelined by boxing politics but though he has been absent from television screens he is confident he is reemerging as a better fighter than the one who conquered the world the first time around. His time away from the spotlight has been spent in various gyms and he has been working with his new trainer – former world title challenger Stephen Smith – for the first time.

No fighter wins a world title without being mentally tough, but Edwards’ experiences over the past few years have hardened him to the business and reinstilled in him a fierce determination to succeed. The disappointments and frustrations he has endured have reinforced to him just how much he still wants and needs the sport.

“I know the card is called ‘Don’t Call It  A Comeback’ and we decided on that because I haven’t gone anywhere – 365 days a year I’ve been grafting my arse off, bettering all my weaknesses and working on things to better myself,” he said.

“I haven’t been on any holidays; I’ve been trying to make this work. I’ve been fighting an uphill battle for so long. The sport of boxing and my legacy mean the world to me and this time has probably created someone who’s going to go on and achieve massive things, whereas before he probably wouldn’t have been able to so I’m a big believer that everything does sometimes happen for a reason and I’m grateful. I know what God’s got planned for me is even bigger than I could have imagined.”

Now self-managed, Edwards is going to plot an ambitious path back to the top, but though he has big plans, Friday night marks the first crucial first step, and Edwards’ focus hasn’t strayed from the task at hand and beating Ory. He is content to be back and looking forward to returning to the ring. 

“The buzz, the thrill and excitement that’s burning inside of me is just amazing,” he said. “It just feels very special. It’s like when I was coming up to challenging for a world title. I’ve got that challenger’s mindset and the thrill of fighting in front of millions of viewers. Fighting at York Hall has got me buzzed up, too. It’s sort of like a homecoming – the first time I boxed there was as a 12-year-old kid.

“I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it, as the song goes.”