Moruti Mthalane vs Sunny Edwards set for May 1st, Michael Conlan co-headlines

Mike Coppinger reports that 25-year-old Sunny Edwards is looking to follow in brother Charlie’s footsteps and claim a flyweight title, taking on IBF champion Moruti Mthalane on a May 1st Frank Warren card in the UK. The event, co-headlined by the return of Michael Conlan, will air on BT Sport in the UK and ESPN+ in the States.

The 38-year-old Mthalane (39-2, 26 KO) has not tasted defeat since a 2008 TKO loss to Nonito Donaire in a bid for the IBF flyweight title. He ultimately claimed the belt a decade later with a decision over Muhammad Waseem and has since defended it against a trio of Japanese challengers, most recently retiring the all-action Akira Yaegashi in appropriately violent fashion two Decembers ago.

Edwards (15-0, 4 KO) has spent much of his career at super flyweight, dipping down to 112 in 2019 to defeat Rosendo Hugo Guarneros. He returned to 115 for his most recent efforts, which saw him beat Marcel Braithwaite for the British title and successfully defeat dangerous spoiler Thomas Essomba in his first defense.

Mthalane remains an elite fighter despite being ancient by lower-weight standards and Edwards clearly has boatloads of promise. This figures to be an excellent fight.

Conlan (14-0, 8 KO) had previously intended to face Issac Dogboe on December 5th, only to suffer a nasty ankle injury ahead of time. TBA presently has the May assignment, though Bob Arum has mentioned wanting to re-book the Dogboe fight