FORMER amateur standout Charlie Edwards plans to take over the flyweight division after he fights Louis Norman for the English title on September 12.
The Croydon 22-year-old will be challenging Norman for his title in only his fifth fight since signing with Matchroom Boxing last year, having won European bronze and two ABA senior titles as an amateur.
The bout will not only be a step up in class but also in rounds as Charlie, who has fought two four and two six-rounders so far, will be in his first contest scheduled for 10, but he feels the longer fights will suit him well.
“I’m over the moon, I’m buzzing. I’ve wanted this for a long time,” he told Boxing News.
“Ever since I turned pro I’ve seen Louis Norman holding the English strap and I’ve always felt he’s got the style that’s compatible with mine.
“He’s a decent boxer, obviously he’s the champion, but I don’t see anything from him that’s outstanding. His style will suit me down to the ground.
“This will be my fifth fight, I’ve done two six-rounders before and I felt like I did them with ease. I’m ready to step up and I think the 10 rounds will just suit me even more. I always get better as the fight goes on.”
The bill at the O2 Arena in London features Edwards’ former GB teammate Anthony Joshua, who vies for the vacant heavyweight Commonwealth crown against Gary Cornish.
Having progressed quickly as a professional alongside Joshua under Eddie Hearn’s promotional outfit, Edwards has big plans for the future.
“I want to get through this flyweight division quickly then I want to move up to super-flyweight,” he stated.
“I’m a big flyweight, so why not get through it quickly? I’ve seen the opposition out there and everybody’s beatable.
“I’ve been pushing for this fight since my second bout in Sheffield. I wanted to get to the title level quickly. I achieved my pedigree in the amateurs and I never wanted to take the easy route, going and fighting journeymen.
“I’m 4-0 and I want to take on someone who’s 11-0, which says it all. I don’t want the easy route, I want to get to world level. I don’t want to get stale, I want to keep pushing on and pushing on, I don’t want to fight bums. You end up going backwards if you fight bums.”
Commonwealth and European champion Kevin Satchell rules the domestic roost at 112lbs and Edwards has his sights set on the Liverpudlian – as well as the verbose Prince Patel, whom Charlie beat numerous times as an amateur.
Patel also recently turned professional and has talked up a fight with Edwards on several occasions.
“The British title is vacant at flyweight, so maybe this fight with Norman could be some sort of eliminator to then go and fight Iain Butcher, then I’d be looking at Kevin Satchell,” Charlie said.
“I want to beat everyone in the flyweight division and make it my own before I move up. That includes Prince Patel. When I fight Louis and make that English strap mine, I’ll make a beeline for Patel because I know everyone wants to see it and I will fight Patel for my English strap before I go on to fight for the British title.”
