CHRIS EDWARDS vs USMAN AHMED

I have heard Chris Edwards described as the best fighter in the world with a record of 12 wins and 13 losses (three draws), and I would agree with this assessment.

Edwards is a gritty individual who kept plugging away when it seemed as if he would never achieve any great distinction as a boxer. He never gave up on himself, and his toned physique speaks of hours of hard work in the gym. In November 2006 Edwards scored an upset by stopping Dale Robinson, a well-regarded former Commonwealth champion, and he had finally turned the corner.

Since that pivotal bout, Edwards has twice won the British flyweight title, and on Friday he defends the championship on Sky TV when he meets the flashier but less experienced Usman Ahmed in a rematch.

Edwards beat Ahmed clearly on points in a six-rounder in September 2006, just before the career-changing win over Robinson. That was Ahmed’s first pro bout, and he has since gone unbeaten in six contests.

In the first meeting, Edwards was too strong and too consistent for his opponent, but Ahmed was handicapped by a cut over the left eye. His veteran manager, Mike Shinfield, believes that Ahmed, who has matured physically in the last two and half years, has made sufficient improvement to turn the tables.

I am expecting a spirited effort from Ahmed. He was a good-quality amateur who won the Midlands title and lost to Commonwealth Games silver medallist Darran Langley in the national championships quarter-finals, but, with the shortage of flyweights in Britain, Ahmed almost inevitably finds himself fighting for a title with limited pro experience.

I was able to see Ahmed’s last fight, and he easily outboxed a much heavier novice. He is speedy and showy, throws a lot of punches but clearly lacks punching power. He is a more confident, better fighter than when he met Edwards the first time. Unfortunately for Ahmed, though, Edwards has also improved — and the defending champion will be boxing in front of a hometown crowd. At the age of 33, Edwards looked better than he has ever looked when he overpowered the outgunned Wayne Bloy in four rounds in his last fight.

Ahmed can probably be competitive for the first half of the fight but Edwards’s strength and pressure should eventually begin to tell. I think that Edwards will either win a fairly wide decision or perhaps wear down Ahmed for a stoppage in the last two or three rounds.