Edwards outworks Essomba to become European champion

Charlie Edwards was a world champion at flyweight

Charlie Edwards took a positive step towards securing a world-title shot after dethroning European bantamweight champion Thomas Essomba with a points win at London's York Hall.

An emphatic points decision for the Englishman did not tell the full story of a close fight.

Edwards outworked Essomba for much of the 12 rounds, but the Cameroonian landed more of the power shots, specifically his left hook.

Speaking after his win, Edwards called out Liverpudlian Paul Butler and said he would like to fight any of the Japanese world champions.

"Thomas is a tricky operator," Edwards said.

"I'm a world champion, I want to fight champions. I've got options everywhere. All the champions are in Japan. I'd like to go out there."

Edwards picks up the 20th win of his career as he looks to become a two-weight champion in the next 12 months.

The Sutton-born fighter held the WBC flyweight title from 2018 to 2019 but vacated it, citing issues with making the 112lb weight.

After 19 months of inactivity, he has now won three times in the past 15 months.

Edwards described the fight as a "personal" one for him, as his brother Sunny is Essomba's manager.

Sunny, wearing a floor-length fur coat, applauded both fighters as they entered the ring.

The former IBF champion decided against being in Essomba's corner, but stuck close to his fighter as the introductions were made.

And he cut a nervous figure throughout the contest, as Edwards built up an early lead through the first five rounds.

Essomba, 36, came storming back in the second half of the fight, abandoning his counter-punching approach and buzzing Edwards with a right hand in the ninth and left, right combination in the tenth.

But Edwards was able to weather the storm and boxed calmly in the final two rounds.

Despite a competitive contest, Edwards looked assured as the 117-111, 116-112, 118-111 scorecards were read out in his favour.

Edwards wore a Butler T-shirt as he did his post-fight interview at ringside, calling it another "personal" bout for him as the former IBF champion is trained by Joe Gallagher, his former coach.