British Flyweight world champion and Super Lightweight contender, Sunny Edwards and Jack Catterall respectively, have been reported to be in talks with Matchroom and DAZN for a new destination. With Edwards currently being a free agent, and Catterall’s contract with Boxxer/Sky Sports expiring, the two are looking to make their next step in boxing with a new promotion and network provider.
According to the Daily Star, Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn is currently actively engaging in signing Sunny Edwards and Jack Catterall to his UK-based promotional company, which would also see them feature on the global sports streaming service, DAZN.
Sunny Edwards (19-0, 4 KO’s), who is currently unbeaten, has been the IBF Flyweight champion for a number of years but has yet to unify. He is rumored to be a free agent considering Probellum’s struggles in finding new suitable partners ― including networks ― after they were largely ostracized for their alleged connections to crime lord Daniel Kinahan. Edwards moving to Matchroom therefore makes sense given Edwards’ career seems to be stuck in an endless loop of title defenses despite the presence of other world champions in the division to fight against. Matchroom and DAZN can at the very least grant him a unification bout with WBC champion Julio Cesar Martinez (19-2, 14 KO’s) who has been a Matchroom fighter since 2019.
Sunny Edwards first conquered his IBF world title in April of 2021, which he went on to defend three times with his latest title defense having occurred in November of last year against Felix Alvarado (38-3, 33 KO’s). Though the British champion is just 26 years of age, he is already considered the best Flyweight in the world, according to BoxRec, and is at the right stage of his career to at least unify with other credible champions.
Jack Catterall (26-1, 13 KO’s), who is signed to BOXXER, his career seems to hang in the balance since his controversial split-decision loss last year to former undisputed champion Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KO’s) in February. Despite BOXXER’s exclusive network deal with Sky Sports, the British Junior Welterweight/Super Lightweight contender has not found a suitable opponent since his match with Taylor, and after missing out on a rematch ― due to Taylor opting to fight Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KO’s) who is signed to the same promotion of Top Rank, highly-needed repeat bout has been postponed ― if not canceled together.
Following BOXXER’s inability to secure a fight with Josh Taylor, Jack Catterall might be looking for a change of destination in a bid to land that fight, or other matches which are equally suitable for him to fight for a world title. In addition to potentially changing sides to Matchroom/DAZN, Catterall is also flirting with the possibility of a fight with WBC champion, Regis Prograis.
Though the potential signing of these two British fighters are mere rumors, it would make sense considering Matchroom’s recent departures of Lawrence Okolie (19-0, 14 KO’s) and Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KO’s) to BOXXER/Sky Sports despite their careers having started with Matchroom. Matchroom might be looking for suitable replacements that will further their brand ― and that of DAZN ― and would find ideal substitutes in Jack Catterall and Sunny Edwards who at this stage of their careers have a lot to prove, generate quite a buzz from the British public, and have a lot to gain in their careers given their current positions in the sport.
