Analyst Harper says: Osbourne-Edwards is really up against it

Osbourne-Edwards…big test. Pic: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

FOR Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, a larger-than-life character who is in touch with the Cosmos, a potentially life-changing moment beckons.

Tomorrow (Saturday) on Frank Warren’s major Resorts World bill, the 35-year-old welter risks his unbeaten record against Eithan James.

The 10 rounder is a major step-up in class for tattooed Osbourne-Edwards whose 11 fights to date have all taken place at the Hangar in his home city of Wolverhampton. A late bloomer in the game, “Jimmy” has won all on points and picked up a Midlands title.

Northampton’s James, a former outstanding amateur, hadn’t put a foot wrong, peeling off 12 wins and capturing the WBO European title, before running into Owen Cooper in March.

Let’s be honest, the 24-year-old took a drubbing. He was dropped in the first and punished in every round before being pulled out by his corner.

For both James and Osbourne-Edwards, the stakes are high.

An against the odds win buys Jimmy a ticket to more arena appearances.

Another loss and it’s a long way back for James. Neither carry “lights out” power, neither have won inside distance.

I like Osbourne-Edwards, he’s good for the game. Viewers tuning in to the show will witness one of the country’s most colourful ringwalks, with Jimmy, wearing a native Indian war bonnet, accompanied by an entourage of drummers and banner wavers.

After a troubled young life, Jimmy, trained by Richie Carter, has taken a deeply spiritual path. Before our last interview, he had conducted a back garden ceremony to thank the universe for this fight.

I wouldn’t dare question his belief, but it’s got more to do with Frank Warren.

Osbourne-Edwards is supremely confident and, judging by his beaming features at yesterday’s press conference, appears to be loving every moment on the big stage.

Can he cap it with victory?

We asked expert analyst Adam Harper, former English light-middleweight champ and now a trainer and manager.

Harper’s no-nonsense assessments – said without malice – have ruffled a few feathers. He doesn’t sit on the fence.

But he’s been consistently correct. You can’t argue with that.

Adam Harper (left) with his own fighter, Shane Smith

He said: “I can see both camps’ reasons for confidence. Richie Carter has watched Eithan James suffer a convincing defeat and a bad defeat. That can take a lot out of a fighter.

“If I was James Conway (James’ trainer) I’d consider Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards the perfect comeback opponent. Someone who has an impressive record, but lacks punching power, has a limited amateur background, if any, and, in his view, can’t outbox James.

“Jermaine doesn’t hit anywhere near as hard as Owen Cooper who almost stopped a very good former British champion in his last fight. He isn’t as good an all-round boxer as Owen Cooper. Eithan James lost to a very, very good fighter.

“For Jermaine to win, James would have to suffer an unbelievably bad night.

“If Eithan James has anything left in the tank, I can’t see him losing a round and I can see the accumulation of punches leading to a stoppage in the last third of the fight.

“Of course, Jermaine will cause some problems during the course of the fight, but those problems won’t be significant enough to win him rounds.

“Jermaine is one of the most likeable characters in Midlands boxing, he’s good for the game, he has a great personality. But boxing isn’t a fairytale and 99 per cent of the time the best man wins. I just can’t see him winning any of the rounds.

“In my eyes, he has to pull off a miracle to win. He needs everything to go his way and nothing to go Eithan James’ way.

“Can he outbox him? No. Does he possess the power to stop him? No. I can see Eithan James systematically break him down.

“For me, it’s a stoppage in the last third.”