Charlie Edwards is back!
Charlie Edwards (18-1, 7 KOs) looks to become a two-weight world champion as he takes on France’s Georges Ory (17-3-1, 2 KOs), hoping that a win will catapult him towards a shot at one of the big names in his new division.
The bantamweight clash headlines a Wasserman Boxing show at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, on April 19, live and free to air on Channel 5.
With the WBC International silver belt on the line, this will be Charlie’s first title fight since his controversial no contest against Julio Cesar Martinez back in 2019.
Speaking with Wasserman Boxing, Charlie said: “The past couple of years have been extremely challenging, but I never lost sight of the fact that there would always be light at the end of the tunnel.
“On April 12, at the famous York Hall, I put on a performance to make the bantamweight title holders sit up and take note.
“I can’t wait to bring world title fights to his huge audience on terrestrial TV. It’s my time; it’s resurgence season.”
The 31-year-old from Croydon fulfilled his dream by becoming a world champion down at flyweight, outpointing experienced veteran Cristofer Rosales for the WBC crown back in 2018.
However, his third-round stoppage defeat to Martinez – which was ruled a no contest immediately after – meant that he was forced to relinquish the iconic green and gold belt, as he could no longer make the 112 lbs limit.
The current WBC belt holder up at 118 lbs is Junto Nakatani, who scored a brutal sixth-round stoppage win over Alexandro Santiago last month, continuing his dominance in the lower divisions.
To challenge the likes of Nakatani, though, Edwards must first get past Ory, who has formally held the European bantamweight title which he lost back in 2019 against Karim Guerfi.
Promoter Kalle Sauerland added, “For Edwards, the dream is to become a two-weight champion, while [Lerrone] Richards is set on reclaiming the title he didn’t lose in the ring.
“But don’t call it a comeback, Edwards and Richards have been at the top of their game for years, and on April 12 they put the world champions on notice.”
Former IBO world champion Lerrone Richards is also making his return on the same card, laser-focused on reclaiming the super middle crown, but has to get past the tough Steed Woodall over 10 rounds first, with the WBO Intercontinental Super Middleweight title up for grabs.