By Elliot Foster, Terence Dooley
Charlie Edwards will return to the ring next month.
The former world title challenger, 24, was last in the ring in October.
Edwards went to points against Craig Derbyshire, the current Central Area super-flyweight champion, over eight rounds at York Hall in London, before grabbing an 80-72 decision.
And the Surrey man (11-1, 4 KOs), a former British champion, will fight in London again on February 3.
This time, though, Edwards will be afforded the chance to showcase his skills at the O2 Arena –– the scene of his stoppage loss to Johnriel Casimero back in September 2016 –– exclusively live on Sky Sports, as part of Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing’s ‘British Beef’ card.
Lawrence Okolie will clash with Isaac Chamberlain in a cruiserweight grudge match at the top of a bill which many said isn’t a headliner for a big venue.
The show will also feature Ted Cheeseman facing a step-up in opponent after agreeing to take on former Kell Brook foe Carson Jones and Reece Bellotti returning in a defence of his Commonwealth featherweight title against Ben Jones.
Felix Cash, who ended 2017 with a one-round stoppage earlier this month, will box for the first time in the New Year, while former Team GB star Joshua Buatsi will box alongside Danny Dignum and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sean McGoldrick.
IN OTHER NEWS: Birmingham's Reiss "Showy" Taylor (2-1, 1 KO), who at 4' 11'' is possibly the shortest British fighter of all time according to the available records, is set for his first fight in front of his hometown crowd after securing a spot on the Jon Pegg's card at the Holte Suite venue at Villa Park, home of Aston Villa F.C.
“Showy” will fight over the four-threes distance as he bids to net the third win of his professional career; his first fight ended in a decision loss to Quaise Khademi at London's York Hall in October, but he has since defeated Anwar Alfadi (W 4 in November) and Jack Smith (KO 2 in December).
The Birmingham Evening Mail confirmed that the 27-year-old has been added to the bill and the fighter believes it will be the first step on his road to glory. “I want it all,” he said. “[F]irst the Midlands title, then we'll see where we go from there. My dream is to be the second smallest world champion of all time ]he stands just an half-inch taller than South Africa's former WBO light-flyweight and flyweight titlist "Baby" Jake Matlala].”
“It's comfortable, I'm enjoying it,” he added when talking about how he is adapting to life in the pro ranks while balancing his day job as a care worker with boxing. “I feel confident. Because I've been fighting on the road, there hasn't been the added pressure of selling tickets. Now there is—and hopefully people will come to see what all the headlines have been about.
“I think I can achieve something from the game as long as I stick to my game and listen to my coaches. I have a good defence, I'm fast and I'm ambidextrous—I can switch-hit.”
