For Sunny Edwards, stepping into the ring with Galal Yafai this Saturday night, live on DAZN, may not represent the biggest night of his professional life. It couldn’t be more different for his new trainer, Chris Williams.
Edwards appeared content in the fight during the early phases, but the bout soon flipped the way of the tiny Texan as he demonstrated to a huge audience why he’s currently one of boxing’s brightest talents.
Just shy of a year later, Edwards is once again back in the spotlight as he looks to settle a lengthy family feud against the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, and it’ll take place in Yafai’s Birmingham backyard.
Joining Edwards for the first time will be Williams, and the Liverpool coach is relishing the opportunity to display his credentials on the big stage despite being one of the sport’s best kept secrets over the past few years.
“Saturday night, Sunny against Yafai, there’s no doubt that this is the most important night of my boxing career so far,” said Williams, who took time from his exhausting schedule to speak exclusively to DAZN News.
“I’ve been part of some amazing moments with Paddy [Pimblett] in the UFC, but purely boxing, this is by far my biggest night.
Williams’ journey to this point has been a slow one featuring plenty of patience and an inner belief that his mentoring methods would eventually be acknowledged by world level fighters such as Edwards.
A product of Liverpool’s thriving Everton Red Triangle under the tutelage of Paul Stevenson, the current trainer of featherweight world champion, Nick Ball, Williams fought as an amateur before making the switch to the opposite side of the ropes.
As well as Edwards, Williams has led the boxing guidance for UFC superstar, Pimblett, and he also includes Ryan Farrag and Brandon Daord as two of his other students in his North Liverpool gym that overlooks the dreaded Everton hills where numerous Merseyside fighters have gathered for their grueling morning runs.
“I was a fighter first, but coaching is what I love and the moment I first started doing it, I knew it was what I wanted to do and it’s what brings the best out of me.
“Being with the team in the gym. Spending time with them, enjoying what we do, and working towards a bigger goal. How could you not love that. Even just helping people out with pads and improving them satisfies me.”
A man very comfortable in his surroundings and holding the utmost confidence in his training ability, Williams is on the verge of breaking out as his city’s next highly sought trainer following in the footsteps of many remarkable teachers who came before him.
His immediate focus is firmly fixed on the second city this weekend as Edwards reignites a rivalry that has long been established going back to their vested days in the unpaid code.
Williams was slowly gaining a reputation for his impeccable work with Daord, a fighter who’s set to have a huge 2025, and it was he who pretty much brought Edwards and Williams together.
“Brandon was sparring Sunny quite a bit for the Bam fight. Me and Sunny were getting on well from spending time in camp together and when he was looking for a new trainer, that’s where I’ve come in.
“Grant Smith has done a great job with Sunny. You only have to look at what he’s achieved as a fighter, but now it’s up to me to try and improve on that and I wouldn't be getting involved if I didn't think that I could do it”
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Their inaugural fight together is fast approaching and it’s a domestic blockbuster that has the boxing community anticipating that something special can happen in the Midlands.
Williams is delighted with what he’s seen from his newest charge since welcoming him into his gym, and he’s expecting a vintage performance on Saturday night.
“I was already a big fan of Sunny Edwards and after seeing him in the gym and getting ready for this fight, I can't wait for him to put a show on.
“Yafai is a brilliant fighter, and you only have to look at what he’s achieved to recognise that, but Sunny is a former world champion, and I think that he has a lot more to his game, and a lot more to prove.
“If Sunny shows up and does what he’s been doing in the gym then he wins. I’ll confidently say that. It wouldn't surprise me if he made it look easy too, but that’s only if he does what he’s been doing for the last few months.”
How to watch Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai on DAZN
Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai and the whole fight card will be stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe. You can watch with a DAZN subscription.
Right now you can sign up to a subscription at a huge discounted rate with DAZN's Black Friday offer. UK viewers get up to 33% off their subscription, while US customers get up to 50%.
For an annual subscription, that is now only £89.99, reduced from £119.99, in the UK, and $112.50 down from $224.99 in the US. There are also monthly subscription options.
DAZN is the home of boxing, broadcasting over 150 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and crossover boxing.
Signing up before November 29, with both annual and monthly options, will get you a ringside seat to the biggest fights still to come this year and into 2025.
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