Sunny Edwards made a routine enough third defence of his IBF flyweight title, as he outpointed Felix Alvarado at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs) won the title with a superb April 2021 points win against Moruti Mthalane, and had made two defences in Dubai, taking wins on the cards against Jayson Mama and Muhammad Waseem, while Alvarado (38-3, 33 KOs) had previously ruled as IBF champion from 2018 to 2021 at light flyweight, making two defences before moving up in weight.
Edwards made a familiar, elusive start, and the challenger struggled to pin the Croydon man down in the opening round.
The Nicaraguan had more success in the second, winging in body shots, but the champion was sound in defence.
‘Showtime’ was sharp on the counter in the third, and although the visitor kept chugging forward, the 26-year-old was just a step ahead, and punished any crude moves forward from his foe.
Edwards was mainly taking shots on his gloves and arms, and was largely in control, but Alvarado started to inch into the argument after halfway through sheer pressure.
However, the home favourite wrestled back control in the championship rounds, staying out of trouble and frustrating Alvarado, landing with flashy bursts in the process.
That classic Showtime style!@SunnyEdwards closes out the final round with his hands in the air! #ProbellumSheffield pic.twitter.com/rry7jG52HE
— Probellum (@probellum) November 11, 2022
The contest went to the cards, where two scores of 115-113 and a third tally of 116-112 ensured ’Showtime’ retained his crown.
Edwards called for a showdown with American former super flyweight world champion, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez who is set to move down to flyweight.
Masoud marches past Bateson
Shabaz Masoud took the WBA Intercontinental super bantamweight title, and a British title eliminator, as he stopped Jack Bateson in the twelfth and final round of their meeting.
The 26-year-old also won the commemorative Ali Tazeem Trophy.
IT’S OVER!@ShabazMasoud dominates from start to finish and stops Bateson in the final round! What a performance! #ProbellumSheffield pic.twitter.com/oCRr8T9mCS
— Probellum (@probellum) November 11, 2022
A counter combination scored a knockdown for Masoud (11-0, 4 KOs) in the final round, and that put the exclamation mark on what was an eye-catching performance, and when Bateson (17-1, 4 KOs) survived the count, a follow up onslaught from ‘Maverick’ forced the fight to be stopped just as the Leeds man had sagged towards the bottom rope.
Braithwaite battles past Essomba
In a scrappy affair, the final eliminator for the British super flyweight title was won by Marcel Braithwaite who scored a split decision win over twelve rounds against Thomas Essomba.
One judge had it 116-113 for Essomba (11-8-1, 4 KOs), but Braithwaite (14-3) deservedly claimed victory by scores of 117-111 and 116-114.
Marcel Braithewaite gets the decision win to kick off the #ProbellumSheffield main card! pic.twitter.com/fvWt1qKDnu
— Probellum (@probellum) November 11, 2022
Braithwaite weighed in over the 114 pound limit, so it is unclear whether he will be put forward for a future shot at the Lonsdale Belt.
Remaining Undercard
2020 Olympic gold medallist, Hebert Conceicao was present in Sheffield, and the Brazilian was largely unimpressive but untested in a six rounds points win against Gideon Onyenani (4-2). Conceicao (3-0, 1 KO) won every round.
Levi Kinsiona was upset, as the Sheffield-based lightweight was outscored over eight rounds against Alin Florin.
Kinsiona (9-3, 1 KO) was badly hurt in the later rounds, and it was a cracking contest that would be a welcome rematch. Florin (17-3, 7 KOs) took a 77-76 win on the referee’s scorecard.
Ishmael Davis (10-0, 4 KOs) remained unbeaten, with the middleweight forcing a fifth round stoppage against Germany’s Dustin Ammann (7-8, 5 KOs).
Nicolie Campbell (10-1, 2 KOs) took a shutout points win over six in the show opener at super middleweight against Frane Radnic (11-35, 10 KOs).
Lisa Whiteside extended her unbeaten streak with the super bantamweight picking up a points win over eight rounds against Eva Cantos.
Referee Michael Alexander returned a score of 79-74.
Light heavyweight Bradley Cousins (4-1) returned to winning ways with a points victory over Genadij Krajevskij (0-42).
