Sunny Edwards and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez are in the midst a transatlantic press tour to promote their upcoming flyweight unification fight and are attracting some well deserved attention. 

Edwards (20-0, 4 KO’s) sauntered through the domestic scene and the 27 year old from Croydon has been imperious since beating Moruti Mthalane for the IBF title back in 2021, evolving his style into one of the trickiest problems to solve in the sport. Rodriguez (18-0, 11 KO’s) became one of the hottest prospects in boxing after bursting onto the stage in 2022; a stunning campaign that included WBC super flyweight title victories over Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The 23 year old Texan dropped down to 112lbs and won the vacant WBO flyweight title in April.

The fight will take place in Arizona on December 16th. Edwards has campaigned long and hard for an opportunity like this and seems inspired by both the size of the event and the threat of a truly world class rival.

“I love what I do. Bam is probably one of the best fighters in the world at the lower weights so why wouldn’t I want to fight him?” Edwards told Talksport. “I get bored with the easy fights. I don’t even get up for training. I don’t get up for camps and my diet will be terrible. As soon as I knew I had Bam, 15 or 16 weeks out I’m switched on. It’s easy.

“I’d rather train like this. I know I’m gonna win but regardless of what happens I want big fights. I don’t need no confidence boosting or momentum building or coming back. Just big fights and keep it moving. I’ve had a couple but like Bam said, I think this is the biggest fight for both of us. It’s probably the biggest fight in the division right now.”

Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras blazed a trail for the lower weight divisions, fighting for a share of the spotlight and keeping themselves there with a series of spectacular fights.

The time has come for the new generation to take up the mantle and Edwards and Rodriguez have earned the right to be considered the men most likely. They may be totally different in terms of fighting style and personality but they each have the ability and all important X-Factor required to fill some sizeable shoes.

The winner of their fight will not only make themselves the undoubted leader of the flyweight division but also enter pound for pound contention. 

“I do think its gonna set off a fire that’s gonna ignite around the lower weights,” Edwards said. "After me and Bam - and whatever happens on that night happens - but it’s gonna be a big event with a lot of promotional eyes on it. Then, everybody that we fight afterwards will benefit. Everyone that jumps into the storyline will benefit off what we’re doing. 

“This isn’t normal for flyweights. Headlining a big show, big build up. Flying to America for press and then coming back here, this is abnormal for flyweights. Trust me.”