By Ryan Burton

 

Former junior welterweight contender Edner "Cherry Bomb" Cherry returns to the ring on Friday in Tampa, Florida.  He will be facing Hevinson Herrera on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.  Cherry, still only 27 years old, returned to the ring after more than a year layoff in December to score a TKO victory over Jovann Jones.  Cherry talks about the upcoming fight, change in trainers and management team and also his decision to campaign in the super featherweight divison in this BoxingScene.com exclusive interview.

 


 

Edner Cherry:  Not much man.  I am just chilling and getting ready for this fight coming up on Friday in Tampa.  I am just staying focused and getting ready to get back in the ring.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about the fight.  What do you know about your opponent Hevinson Herrera?

 

Edner Cherry:  You know what I really don't know anything about him.  I am just going to go in prepared and do what I have to do to get the win.  I want to perform well and that's about it.  Hopefully everything turns out pretty good.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How has training gone for the fight?

 

Edner Cherry:  Training is just fabulous.  I am staying focused and just getting ready.  I can't really say anymore than that.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a prediction for the fight?

 

Edner Cherry:  No sir.  I am just going to go in there and hopefully its a knockout.  If its in the first round and it comes well it comes.  I am just looking to go in there and do my thing and stay busy.  I will be ready to go the distance if need be.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Assuming you get the win like you plan where do you want to go from here?

 

Edner Cherry:  Man I am looking at big things.  Hopefully I will get a title shot.  Right now I want to fight at 130 lbs.  I am hoping that a title shot comes my way and I can get up to being rated top 5 or whatever I need to get a title shot.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Is your upcoming fight at 130?

 

Edner Cherry:  No its a catchweight of 132/133 lbs.  Hopefully the next fight will be at 130.

 

BoxingScene.com:  You fought your whole career at lightweight.  Why did you decide to move down?

 

Edner Cherry:  I think its the best thing for me.  I have wanted to fight at 130 for the longest.  It was a decision me and my team made.  I feel good about it.  I don't think it is a mistake.  I think it is a great thing.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Before your fight in December you hadn't fought in over a year.  Why such a long layoff?

 

Edner Cherry:  I was just going through things.  I was in the middle of a change up.  I was going to a new promoter, trainer and working on my contract.  I was just trying to work with some other people.  That is all it was.  It was just a long layoff.  Without being signed with anybody it was just hard to get fights.  I signed with TKO Promotions and they are doing their job and keeping me busy.  With my new team everything is working pretty good.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about that.  You are managed by Cameron Dunkin and promoted by TKO.  What do they have in store for you?

 

Edner Cherry:  Being honest I don't know.  I am just letting Cameron and TKO do their job.  We are all going to get together and talk.  I know it is going to work out pretty good.  I am just letting them do their part and I will do my part which is staying in the gym and working out so when something comes up I will be prepared for it.  That is my is to be ready and to train.  When they call and say Edner we have a fight I will be ready.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How many more fights do you think you need before you are ready for a title shot at 130?

 

Edner Cherry:  Hopefully two or whatever.  Whether its one, two or three more fights I will be ready.  Even with the layoff it is okay.  The layoff let my body rest.  Now I have an opportunity to show the world that I am back at 130 lbs.  I just want to get back in the mix and be a world champion.  I am going to leave it up to my manager, my promoter and my trainer Tony Morgan.  If it is going to take two or three fights I will do it.  I will just train and be ready.  I am confident they will make the right decisions.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Last question. Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Edner Cherry:  Definitely.  I just want to thank my fans around the world for being there for me.  I will be fighting February 19th in Tampa.  Please tune in.  I just want to thank you for supporting me and believing in me.  Edner is back and he will be world champion.

 

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