Sunny Edwards announces retirement after stoppage defeat to Galal Yafai

Sunny Edwards confirms retirement after second knockout loss to Galal Yafai

Galal Yafai (9-0, 7KO) pummelled Sunny Edwards (21-2, 4KO) into submission in six rounds at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham on November 30 to win the WBC Interim flyweight title.

Referee Lee Every stepped in at 1:10 in the sixth stanza to save Sunny, who was trapped in the corner and taking punch after punch, only able throw back intermittingly.

Yafai threw around 40 punches with Sunny only able to answer back a couple of times, sporadically, and was rightfully stopped from further punishment.

Earlier, in the corner, Edwards told his trainer, “Can I be real with you? I don’t even want to be here”.

Post-fight, 28-year-old Edwards confirmed his retirement from the sport he no longer feels enough love for.

Derry Mathews paid tribute, "In boxing you go old overnight - and once the fire has gone there is no getting it back. Sunny Edwards has been brilliant for the sport and is a top lad, he will make a great commentator. Enjoy this side of the ropes, you will always be a champ."

Co-Founder of Fight Disciples, Adam Catterall, tweeted: "Sunny Edwards was one of the very best pure boxers this country has produced in recent times. Sad to see him call it at 28 but if the fire has gone out, get out."

Ring Magazine journalist, Ryan Songolia, said: "When the fight is beaten out of you, it doesn’t come back. Sunny Edwards is saying out loud what virtually all boxers say inside when they’re done living this crazy life."

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