Foster in a cracker on big Denny TV bill

Brad Foster…faces hot prospect Rhys Edwards next month

FORMER British champ Brad Foster has netted an absolute cracker on next month’s major, televised Wolverhampton show.

On November 18, at The Halls, Brad, who won a Lonsdale Belt outright at super-bantam, will face red hot prospect Rhys Edwards over 10 rounds. The show is topped by Black Country middle Tyler Denny’s European title tilt.

Former outstanding Welsh amateur Edwards is currently tearing up the featherweight division. As a pro, the 23-year-old has won 14 on the spin, four inside distance.

He’s been avoided by many, but Foster grasped the challenge with both hands.

Frankly, after a frustrating 18 months, he needs it. For a man of his talents, getting meaningful fights ain’t easy. Prospects don’t want to risk their “0” against him. Champs don’t want to risk their belts against him.

Apart from a six round tick-over contest last December, Foster – tipped for world glory after going on a title laden, 16 bout unbeaten run – hasn’t fought since being outpointed by Romanian ironman Ionut Baluta in May, 2022.

The only other man to beat the 26-year-old in is Jason Cunningham, a controversial points loss that cost him his British title.

Veteran manager PJ Rowson said: “Brad has won the Lonsdale Belt, he’s been at the top of the tree, but he’s sat on the sidelines for 18 months.

“We get calls about fights, we say yes, then the other fighter’s trainer doesn’t fancy it or the manager doesn’t fancy it. It’s become a case of, ‘who needs him?’

“It’s 18 months of inactivity. It’s very frustrating, it’s very disheartening. He lives in the gym, he’s always fit, but prospects won’t take him on because they don’t want to lose their unbeaten record. Champions won’t take him on because they don’t want to lose their titles.

“I have always said it, I don’t think anyone has seen the best of Brad Foster, they haven’t seen what I’ve seen, they haven’t seen him do what I’ve seen him do in the gym.  He shone when he won the Midlands title, he shone when he won the British title in the other man’s backyard, but there have been times when he’s coasted to a win, when he’s done what he had to do.”

Brad, one of the game’s true gents, returns with a mouthwatering  clash against Edwards who is tipped for very big things. It’s a gamble, but, in boxing, the bigger the gamble, the bigger the reward.

Rowson added: “Edwards is very, very good, very accurate. Can Brad Foster beat him? Yes. Brad Foster doesn’t duck anyone.”