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Chris Edwards will spend the rest of this year showing Britain’s young flyweights who is the daddy of the division.
British and Commonwealth flyweight champion Edwards, 33, has young guns Usman Ahmed, Ashley Sexton and Paul Edwards bidding to shoot him down.
Derby’s Ahmed, (5-1-1), gets the first crack when he invades Edwards territory at Stoke-on-Trent’s, Fenton Manor Sports Complex on May 29.
Ahmed, 27, dropped a points decision to Edwards on his debut in September 2006, but has remained unbeaten since and is confident of snatching the belts.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “The domestic flyweight division is wide open, but Chris is determined to stay on top. He has only lost once in over three years and seems invincible in his hometown where he is hugely popular.
“I was mightily impressed with his stoppage of Wayne Bloy earlier this year and I think the local fans lift him like they did Stoke City in the Premier League.
“I can compare him with James Beattie and Matthew Etherington. Their careers were stagnant until Tony Pulis signed them in January and they played a major role for Stoke on the run-in.
“Chris and my co-promoters at Impact Boxing wanted the light to shine on Chris and he has delivered the goods once he got exposure
“There are some good flyweights around and if he can beat Ussie, Sexton and Edwards he will deserve a European title fight.”
Cheshunt extrovert Sexton, 21, bids to stretch his unbeaten run to six when he tackles Wolverhampton’s veteran Delroy Spencer who will be having his 99th fight.
Scouser Edwards, 22, (4-0) hopes to continue his impressive form on the bill when he faces Middlesbrough’s Francis Croes.
Top of the talent crammed card is local hero Chris Edwards (12-13-3) who defends his British and Commonwealth flyweight title against Derby’s Usman Ahmed (5-1-1)
In the chief support Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes (11-0) meets Manchester’s Anthony Crolla (13-1) in an eliminator for the British super-featherweight title held by Kevin Mitchell.
Also on the top class bill, Ireland’s Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland (2-0) bids to stop Georgian Tchilaia (9-8) who took Beijing golden boy DeGale the distance on his professional debut in February.
Tickets (£35 and £75) for the show which also features other top fighters from Stoke including Scott Miller and Alex Ibbs are on sale and available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.
