Charlie Edwards lands European bantamweight title shot with younger bro Sunny in the opposite corner
Charlie Edwards must overcome defending champion Thomas Essomba, and his own brother, if he is to be crowned EBU European bantamweight champion, live and free on Channel 5.
31-year-old former world champion Charlie Edwards challenges titleholder Thomas Essomba at the iconic East End venue York Hall, on Friday, September 27, headlining Family Feud, the latest big-hitting Wasserman Boxing event.
It promises to be a bantamweight barnstormer but the sub-plot to this Euro showdown also means Edwards vs Essomba will be a feisty family affair.
Essomba is managed by Charlie’s brother, Sunny, and so their relationship will be pushed to breaking point as ‘Showtime’ helps plot his sibling’s downfall in the ring.
Victory over Essomba edges Edwards ever closer to world title opportunities, but he knows he won’t just be fighting the determined champion with an inspirational backstory – he’ll also have to get the better of his brother.
Betting Odds (Ladbrokes)
Charlie Edwards – 1/12
Thomas Essomba – 13/2
Draw – 18/1
Charlie Edwards said: “These are the fights that gets the fire burning.
“I’ve had Essomba in my line of sight for a while now and I’ve not forgotten the disrespect he showed me after my world title fight with Martinez, all those years ago, goading me in a direct message on social media.
“My brother may think he knows me better than anyone, but there is nothing Sunny can do, or say, to stop me from devastatingly ripping the European title from Essomba by vicious knockout.
“This is the biggest fight of my career and of Essomba’s career too, and he should enjoy every second of having Sunny by his side during the build-up because once the bell goes, it’ll just be me and him and I plan on making him pay for what he has said to me.”
Thomas Essomba said: “People need to remember who the champion is, in this fight.
“This is my belt, and this is a voluntary defence, I have given Charlie this opportunity, he hasn’t earned it – don’t be fooled into thinking otherwise.
“I have been through so much in my life and career to get to this point and there is no way I am leaving York Hall without that belt.”
Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman, said: “It’s Edwards vs Essomba on September 27, live on Channel 5 – but it’s also Edwards vs Edwards!
“Has British boxing ever seen anything like this before, with two brothers on the opposite side of the ring in a major title fight?
“Charlie, in one corner, planning to rip the title away from Sunny’s charge, Essomba, whilst in the other, Sunny is helping hatch a plan to derail his brother’s comeback.
“It’s like something out of a movie but this isn’t Hollywood, it’s as real as it gets, and it will play out, live to the nation, on Channel 5!”
Sunny Edwards said: “This is a great opportunity for both fighters.
“For our champion Thomas Essomba it’s his biggest night of his career, defending his European title headlining live on Channel 5 against a former world champion.
“For my brother an opportunity to save his career and return to big nights.
“The journey Essomba has taken to get here, means he deserves every chance he can get and I will be supporting him fully just like I would with all the fighters I manage.
“What happens in the ring stays in the ring and it’s between Thomas and Charlie who wins on the night.
“I’m proud of both of them and I am really looking forward to a great night of championship boxing – but don’t get confused I’m Sunny Essomba on September 27.”