Sunny Edwards forced out of first title defence by injury

Sunny Edwards has been forced to withdraw from his first title defence because of an ankle injury.

His first title defence, scheduled for tomorrow against Jayson Mama, has been postponed.

The unbeaten world IBF flyweight was due to headline on BT Sport from the Copper Box Arena.

Edwards (16-0, 4KOs) was set to fight for the first time since dethroning long-reigning titleist Moruti Mhtalane in a career-best performance on April 30 at York Hall. Edwards was hoping a win would have lined him up for a title unification clash with Mexico’s Julio Cesar Martinez, who holds the WBC belt and has history with the Edwards family.

Martinez fought a no-contest with Sunny’s older brother Charlie – who once held the WBC flyweight title. The Mexican originally earned a third-round knockout and the WBC belt before the verdict was overturned minutes later because the deciding knockout blow came while Edwards was on the canvas.

“Gutted that my fight on Saturday is off,” Edwards said. “Will have a rescheduled date ASAP. Want to apologise firstly to my opponent Jayson & his team, as I understand the frustration they must be feeling, secondly Frank Warren & BT as my homecoming was set to be the biggest night of my career.”

The rest of the card has yet to be cancelled. Among those due to fight were rebounding Battersea middleweight prospect Denzel Bentley (14-1-1, 12KOs) in a 10-round bout against Wolverhampton’s Andrew Robinson (24-5-1, 7 KOs).

Hours before the withdrawal, Mama had accused Sunny Edwards of running from an old man.

The unbeaten Filipino challenges said: “Mthalane was old.

“Edwards was running all night. I hope he doesn’t run when he fights me but I think he will run from me.”