CHRIS EDWARDS vs WAYNE BLOY

The fighters’ records are unimposing, but Chris Edwards and Wayne Bloy should produce 12 lively rounds of boxing when they meet for the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight titles at Stoke, in the English midlands, on Friday.

Edwards, 32, became an unlikely British champion when he bustled his way to a split decision win over the classier Jamie McDonnell in December to capture the vacant 115-pound title, but he was well beaten by the slicker, speedier Andy Bell in his first defence. Now he drops down three pounds to try again.

Bloy, 26, is far less experienced than Edwards but he is bigger, younger and taller.

They share common opponents in McDonnell and Bell.

Bloy lost twice to McDonnell — by stoppage in their second fight — but won and lost in two bouts with Bell.

Bloy’s last fight was a loss on points to Bell in a gruelling 10-rounder. Had Bloy won just one more round he would have secured a draw on the scorecard of referee and sole arbiter Terry O’Connor.

Although Bloy has had only nine fights he was a European kickboxing champion. I haven’t had the chance to see Bloy, but I gather that he is a very game and willing fighter who likes to press forward, get on top of his opponents and keep the punches flowing.

Edwards has the much greater seasoning, with 27 bouts on his record, losing almost half of them. He does seem to have improved greatly, though, with the loss to Bell his only defeat in his last six fights.

This is likely to be a physical type of contest, and Bloy is the naturally bigger man, having fought in the featherweight division. He came back from a first-round knockdown to outpoint Bell in their first fight. He will be taking the fight to Edwards and could simply outpunch and outlast him. Edwards showed signs of being a fighter in decline when he lost to Bell. He was knocked down in the third round and cut over both eyes. That was a very hard fight for Edwards. Being a stocky, muscular type he has to be able to get his opponents backing up and try to outwork them with a high volume of punches. It could be hard for him to do this against Bloy, who, from all I can gather about him, is not the type who likes to take a backwards step.

Bloy hasn’t boxed in 13 months, though, and Edwards is on home ground in Stoke. Edwards has been in three 12-round championship fights, which could help him, and he has had a good rest after the punishing bout against Bell.

I favour Edwards, but not by much. My feeling is that he might know just a little too much for Bloy in what will most likely be a gruelling struggle.