Frank Maloney Boxing: Lawton Predicts Edwards Will Stop Ahmed In Eight

Scott Lawton predicts Impact Boxing stablemate Chris Edwards will topple Usman Ahmed in eight rounds later this month.

Edwards, 12-13-3, risks his British and Commonwealth flyweight titles against Britain’s tiniest fighter in his hometown at Stoke-on-Trent’s Fenton Manor Sports Complex on May 29.

Lawton said: “It’s a hard fight, but one I fully expect Chris to win. He’s in good shape and has got his weight down. He’s been sparring hard and fully expects Ahmed to come at him. I predict Chris will win in the eighth round.”

Edwards, 33, outpointed Ahmed, 5-1-1, on his Derby rival’s debut in September, 2006, but the challenger has remained unbeaten ever since.

Lawton, 26-4-1, is one of the show’s co-promoters and faces Welshman Gary Buckland, 15-1, in an eliminator for the British lightweight title.

And he is delighted to get another chance to impress in Stoke when Sky Sports visit the Potteries and broadcast the card live.

Lawton, 32, is backing the crowd to roar him on. “All of us Stoke boxers love fighting here because the crowd is always behind you,” he said.

“They always give you that extra push, especially in the late rounds when your body is tired and create a massive atmosphere.”

Fighting on home soil certainly lifts Edwards. He has boxed eight times in his hometown and won on seven occasions.

An eliminator for the British super featherweight title on the same bill sees Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes, 11-0, square off with Manchester’s big ticket seller Anthony Crolla, 13-1, in what promise to be a fierce ten rounder.

Ireland’s Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland, 2-0, continues his march to the top of the super-middleweight division on the same bill.

Tickets cost £35 and £75 for the show, which also features other top fighters from Stoke including Scott Miller and Alex Ibbs, can be purchased from the box office on 08712261508 or log on to frankmaloney.com.