20.12.06 – Christmas came early for Potteries’ boxer Chris Edwards when Impact Boxing confirmed that the English flyweight champion will face Dean Robinson again but this time for the coveted British title. Edwards put paid to the Huddersfield man’s English title ambitions with an eighth round stoppage at Stoke’s Kings Hall in November and confounded most experts by becoming the first boxer to stop Robinson, the former Commonwealth champion, within the distance.. Edwards also now looks likely to pip stablemate Scott Lawton to the honour of becoming the first Stoke-on-Trent trained boxer to challenge for a British title.
The rematch was sanctioned as a clash for the vacant British flyweight title by the British Boxing Board of Control at its meeting last week and will be promoted by Manchester based Steve Wood. A date and venue for the fight has yet to be confirmed.
Robinson previously challenged for British title honours at bantamweight in 2005 but suffered a points defeat to Martin Power and still boasts a superior record to that of Edwards. Edwards however defied the statisticians in November and now has a psychological edge over Robinson, the bout therefore looks like a real 50:50 contest.
On hearing the news a jubilant Edwards said: “I’ve been linked with British title fights twice before but because of contractual problems they never came off so it’s fantastic to know that I’m finally going to get my chance to prove myself at the top level.”
“Having beaten Dale in November I obviously believe that I can do it again but I think he will be better prepared this time; I think that last time he underestimated me a little and he won’t make that mistake again. I will be better prepared this time also and although I’m quietly confident that I can repeat my victory over him I won’t be taking it for granted”.
Meanwhile Impact Boxing’s other English champion, Scott Lawton, is preparing for the first defence of his title against Dean Hickman. The title contest will top the bill on Impact’s next event at the Kings Hall, Stoke on 24th February. Tickets can be booked by contacting the ticket line on 0845 156 7168