SUNNY Edwards emerged victorious over Adrian Curiel in the ninth round due to a technical decision in Phoenix. This was his first fight since suffering his first career defeat at the hands of Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, and his task was to generate excitement for Bam’s upcoming battle with Juan Francisco Estrada.
Although things didn’t go entirely according to plan, Edwards managed to secure the win by winning most of the rounds. He showcased a variety of skills to outsmart Curiel before a cut in the sixth round led to the fight being stopped prematurely in the ninth.
Switching stances early in the fight, Edwards utilized his trademark moves to outmaneuver Curiel from different angles. While the Mexican fans weren’t impressed with his approach, Edwards remained focused and seemed to enjoy their growing disapproval.
June 29, 2024; Phoenix, AZ; Sunny Edwards and Adrian Curiel during their fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel/Boxing News
In a heated moment at the end of the fourth round, Curiel attempted a mini-headbutt towards Edwards as he playfully danced around. This incident followed a warning from the referee in round three about their head movements. The fight took a turn in round six when Curiel’s head clash caused a deep cut on Edwards’ forehead.
The fight continued until the ninth, where the doctor examined the cut closely and called an end to the bout. While the crowd eagerly awaited the main event between Estrada and Bam, the judges showed sympathy towards Edwards, awarding him a comeback victory with scores of 90-82 (Victor Loughlin), 88-84 (Omar Mintun Sr), and an unusual 87-85 from Chris Wilson.
Since turning professional in 2016, Edwards’ record stands at 21-1 with only four knockouts. Despite not being a heavy hitter, he has honed an effective fighting style that earns him wins. On the other hand, Curiel, who once showed promise at this level, struggled to mount effective offense and now holds a record of 24-6-1 with five KOs.
June 29, 2024; Phoenix, AZ; Sunny Edwards and Adrian Curiel during their fight at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel/Boxing News
“I don’t expect no favours when I come to America, I thought I was way clear ahead,” commented Edwards, responding to the crowd’s disapproval.
“I wish the fight was still going on now. I felt comfortable. I was cruising. Galal Yafai, I’m ready.”