Carter: I’m over the moon with Jermaine

Richard Carter with welter Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards

THERE will be more big nights under the bright lights for Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, his trainer has vowed, following the fighter’s first loss.

Jimmy was widely outpointed by former decorated amateur Eithan James on the weekend’s major Resorts World show, judges scoring 97-93, 99-91, 99-92.

It was the Wolverhampton welter’s first setback after 11 fights at small hall level and his first taste of an arena bill.

Jimmy revelled in the experience. From press conference to weigh-in to ring walk, a wide smile stayed on his face. The 35-year-old basked in the moment.

That grin remained even when the lopsided scores were announced at the end of the 10 round English title eliminator.

“He was over the moon,” trainer Richie Carter said. “Everything is a blessing for Jimmy – he’s a very happy chappie.”

You’ve seen the fight. It wasn’t an edge-of-the seat encounter between two men who lack real firepower and that’s largely because Northampton’s James did what he had to do.

He kept to his boxing, didn’t engage in a tear-up and racked-up the points. Osbourne-Edwards, cut over the left eye in the fourth, wanted a punch-up, James wasn’t prepared to oblige.

For 24-year-old James, victory was everything following crushing defeat to Owen Cooper last time out. He’d won 12 on the spin before that stoppage.

That’s how he fought. He didn’t take risks, he stuck to his boxing and Jimmy was always going to be second best in a boxing match.

But the Black Country underdog plugged away and can take positives from the night. He wasn’t punished or hurt. He certainly wasn’t disgraced.

“I think he did very well,” Carter said. “Listen, we were under no illusion we were up against it. Eithan James was a decorated amateur, Jimmy only had 11 bouts, so we were done in amateur experience.

“We were done in age – Jimmy is 35, Eithan James 24. And as a pro, Eithan has had more experience. But the way Jimmy performed, he rose to the occasion, he was always looking for that backhand. If Eithan had engaged a bit more it would’ve been a different story. He executed the perfect plan.

“Jimmy loved every bit of it, everyone loved him, everyone took to him. Going forward, he’ll be back on that big stage.

“I’m over the moon with him, the way he got in there and took the bull by the horns. He’ll have a rest and get back in the mix. We’ll go again.”

Carter added: “Jimmy knew he deserved to be in there and he gave it his all.”