By Terence Dooley
Liverpool’s Paul Edwards experienced both the highs and lows of life in the championship fast lane during the 2010-2011 British boxing season after winning and losing the British flyweight belt in fights with Shinny Bayaar and Chris Edwards respectively. Edwards picked up the amateur flyweight ABA title in 2006 and had hoped to successfully defend his first professional crown when clashing with Chris in June only to drop a tight split decision.
Paul, 8-1 (2), displayed greater accuracy and poise throughout yet it was Chris, 16-14-3 (4), who impressed the officials with his greater work rate to register a 115-113, 114-115, 115-113 win – Jim Watt, scoring for Sky TV, had it 114-114 – leaving Paul eying a revenge meeting during the forthcoming season.
“I’ve watched it back about 20 times and really thought I’d won. I dropped a few in the middle rounds but apart from that I really enjoyed the fight but not the result. I didn’t think about the twelve rounds before it but did in the fight, especially the seventh or eighth rounds when I switched off a bit mentally.”
The ‘Smiling Assassin’ won the coveted Lonsdale belt with a first round, cut eye TKO win over Bayaar in December. The bout featured only 1:56 minutes of action but such was Paul’s fine start that many believed they had witnessed the coronation of a future star of the division.
Ironically, the single stanza ending may have robbed Edwards of the chance to pick up rounds, championship experience and the nous required to handle the challenge of Chris Edwards, especially given the Stoke warrior’s relentless style and professional pedigree.
“I suppose so. You can say that if I had done more rounds it would have helped me better but no excuses. Chris was strong but I knew I had loads left in the bank so I knew I had to go for it late,” admitted Edwards when asked if the cut in the Bayaar fight had robbed him of the chance to gain vital know-how.
“It is more mental than anything. In my head I felt tired but my arms still felt strong and like I said it was my first twelve rounder so I learned from it. I’ve been on at Frank [Maloney] all the time to get the rematch but I think Chris has got to fight Shinny so I’m not sure – I’d love that fight again.”
Adding: “I’m tired of watching it now so I’ve deleted it off my TV to be honest. You have those times where you watch it and think your arm will be raised at the end but it isn’t.”
Paul learned his trade at Salisbury ABC; he now operates under the stewardship of Georgie and Danny Vaughan and is due to make his first appearance of the new season on Stephen Vaughan’s October 8th show at Liverpool’s Greenbank Sports Centre. Indeed, memories of winning the title from Bayaar are firing the 5’ 5’’ fighter’s kiln.
“It was unbelievable,” enthused Edwards as he recalled the win over Shinny. “I celebrated even though I didn’t win it under the best circumstances because it is every boxer’s dream to win the title. When I heard that I was champion it felt great. I was in great shape for that fight – I had a proper twelve-week camp.
“I have Georgie and Danny Vaughan helping me and giving me everything I need. Georgie is calm, I only ever saw him go mad when I fought Andy Bell [in February 2010] and had a bad round – he shouted at me and gave me a little slap. Georgie is one of those who tells you to just go out and enjoy it.”
Edwards and the Vaughans face their toughest test yet as t’other Edwards keeps on plugging away no matter how often he is written off. With Shinny out there plotting his revenge on Paul it all adds up to a big year for the little Liverpudlian if he is to put things right and regain the British 112lb title.
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