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Former flyweight world title challenger Charlie Edwards (12-1, 5 KO) returns to the ring on Saturday in Newcastle against Anthony Nelson (12-1, 2 KO), and is hoping a good showing and some more wins will force an eventual fight with WBA “world” super flyweight titleholder Kal Yafai.
“Yafai retained his world title the other week and it seems he’ll fight out in America again but it’s time to focus on my own path. It doesn’t look like he wants to fight me, so if I want that shot I’m going to have to force the issue and winning this WBA ranking title gets me on that ladder. I want the fight but I can’t let it hold me up. I have to back him in to a corner, he might even get beat before I get to him.”
Edwards, 25, had a crack at John Riel Casimero’s flyweight title back in 2016, but was stopped in the 10th round in London. He’s won four straight since then, and picked up the British 115-pound title in April 2017 with a win over Iain Butcher.