SAN ANTONIO – Eddie Hearn still gets a chuckle out of the unexpected—but largely necessary—union with Sunny Edwards.

Among the recent notable signings by Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing was the unbeaten IBF flyweight titlist. The move came after nearly two years of the supremely gifted British boxer shouting for a unification bout with WBC titlist Julio Cesar Martinez and now with Jesse Rodriguez (18-0, 11KOs) who recently won the WBO title to become the sport’s youngest division titlist.

The time spent calling out those fighters also came with his fair number of shots taken at Hearn and Matchroom. But, business is business and the chance to sign one of the best pure boxers in the game is a move that only makes sense both ways.

“I really rate Sunny. He’s a right character,” Hearn told BoxingScene.com. “I used to think he was a bit of a wally and say some really foolish things. Now I realize, he’s outspoken but he’s really bright. He’s got an unbelievable boxing IQ. He’s a Brit.

“Sunny may beat them all at flyweight. He may very well be the best. We want to make those fights and find out.”  

Edwards (19-0, 4KOs) is coming up on the two-year anniversary of his IBF flyweight title reign with an April 2021 twelve-round win over long-reigning titlist Moruti Mthalane. Three title defenses have followed but none have been in the unification bouts he has long craved, including a lengthy effort to land a mouthwatering clash with Mexico City’s Martinez (19-2, 14KOs; 2NC).

A proactive approach was taken by Edwards upon signing with Matchroom. The first bout to which he immediately agreed was a two-belt showdown with Rodriguez ahead of the Texan’s eventual WBO flyweight title winning effort over Cristian Gonzalez. Their April 8 DAZN headliner took place in Rodriguez’s San Antonio hometown, though the lopsided win came at the expense of suffering a fractured jaw midway through their main event.

Rodriguez’s desire to compete at flyweight was the motivating factor in Hearn pushing for a flyweight tournament to crown an undisputed champion. The global promoter knew he would eventually have to do business with Edwards, but ultimately decided it was better to make him part of the family than to treat him like an outsider.

It also worked to the fighter’s benefit.

“He can’t get those fights without us. This was a natural move for his career,” noted Hearn. “He’s ready to clean out the division. We’re excited to see which flyweight can accomplish that goal.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox