Charlie Edwards upset in world title run by Siko Nqothole at York Hall
The 33-year-old former world flyweight champion Charlie Edwards (21-3, 7 KOs) was upset in front of his home fans by Siko Nqothole (22-3, 13 KOs) at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday, May 29, live on DAZN.
The headlining bout was an IBF World super-flyweight title eliminator.
Nqothole started the brighter, dictating the pace and being the busier boxer, winning the first two rounds clearly.
In the third round, the South African rocked the Brit with a big straight right, causing Charlie to get on his bike and cover up.
The 31-year-old from Eastern Cape was clearly heavier-handed and was constantly pushing Edwards back with rangy jabs and big straight shots to the body, putting neat combinations together.
Croydon’s Charlie roared into life in the championship rounds, knowing he had to do something miraculous to win. He ended the 11th round goading his opponent, winding up his right fist and hanging his chin out in the air.
Edwards ended the fight with two bruised, swollen eyes, but raised his hand confidently at the final bell.
The scores were rightfully unanimous to Nqothole at 113-116, 112-116, 111-117, who will now be mandatory challenger to Willibaldo Garcia’s IBF super-flyweight world title.
The third defeat of Edwards’ stuttering career could potentially spell the end for him.
On the undercard, Dan Toward and Jak Corrie couldn’t be split after 10 rounds at super-welterweight.
Ollie Cooper stopped James Osbourne in the eighth round of their English super-middleweight title contest.
There were wins for Tom Welland and Lucas Roehrig.
Full Fight Night Results
Eugene McKeever 40-36 Artem Liashevych
Sultan Babakhanov 60-54 Luis Enrique Montelongon
Jonathan Kumuteo 39-37 Jose Aguirre
Lucas Roehrig WTKO2 Faton Tolaj
Vacant Commonwealth International Featherweight title
Tom Welland WUD Saleh Kassim (99-91, 96-94, 99-91)
Vacant English Super Middleweight title
James Osborne LTKO8 Ollie Cooper
Vacant WBA Continental Super Welterweight title
Dan Toward DRAW Jak Corrie (96-94, 94-96, 95-95)
IBF World Super Flyweight title eliminator
Charlie Edwards LUD Sikho Nqothole (113-116, 112-116, 111-117)
