FORT WORTH, Texas – Four fights in, Joshua Edwards is right on track in performing as the prototype athlete that boxing needs.
An American Olympian from George Foreman’s hometown, Houston. Four knockouts, none of which lasted longer than two rounds. Driven to improve, packing on muscle to now weigh more than 230 pounds after fighting as an amateur at 212.
The 25-year-old Edwards returns to the ring Saturday in Texas, opening the DAZN-streamed main portion of a card headlined by the WBC interim junior-middleweight title fight between champion Vergil Ortiz Jnr and former title challenger Erickson Lubin at Dickies Arena.
The bout, against Zeno Vooris, 5-1 (5 KOs), of Las Vegas, is Edwards’ fifth since his April pro debut.
“I’m just looking for experience. I want to get as many fighting styles as possible in front of me,” Edwards said. “I don’t have a huge amateur background beyond getting to the Olympics so I’m looking to grow and build skill.
“I’ve loved staying busy, and three months off before this fight seemed like forever. I know there are levels to boxing, so I’m glad they’re putting these guys in front of me. I know I’m making it look easy, but that’s because of the hard work I’m putting in inside the gym.”
Promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Edwards is working with a conditioning coach and nutritionist while managed by veteran Texas fight figure Lester Bedford.
“You’re talking to the future heavyweight champion,” Bedford informed.
Edwards is eager to perform in his first fight as a pro in Texas.
“I’ve got so much family coming out [to the fight], there’s not enough shirts to get to them all and they’re coming on a charter bus,” he said.
Edwards said he met the late Foreman as a young boy, and watches a lot of older heavyweight fights, likening himself to Evander Holyfield while needing a combined six minutes, 31 seconds to finish his four previous foes.
