Jermaine clinches a shot at Midlands title

Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards…fighting in Wolverhampton on Friday

JERMAINE Osbourne-Edwards reckons he’s moving up in the world with a Midlands light-welter title shot afoot.

First comes another run-out at the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, on Friday, September 15, when BCB Promotions host another show there.

He has been given an opportunity to fight for the area title by the British Boxing Board of Control. But it will mean slimming down from welter to 10 stone.

That belt is currently vacant, but is being contested between Jamie Stewart and Nathan Kirk on September 30, with the winner ordered to defend against Osbourne-Edwards.

The unbeaten challenger-in-waiting has been asking to get his chance at the Hangar, where all seven of his previous pro victories have taken place.

Osbourne-Edwards has completed six rounds on three occasions, but broke his right hand in each of his last two outings, although he still managed to hear the final bell.

Only Petar Alexsandrov has taken a solitary round off the 34-year-old southpaw, who also has a 152-second stoppage of Krasimir Vasilev to his credit.

The popular left-hander is a home fighter who grew up on the Dovecotes estate, but now lives in Pendeford. He is trained by ex-pro Richie Carter, at Wolverhampton Boxing Club.

His amateur career was a relatively short one, representing Merridale Boxing Club in his city. It contained 10 bouts, with nine wins.

Osbourne-Edwards said: “I’m knuckling down and I’ve been on it even more, in this training camp. I feel like a monster. I want to show these geezers what I can bring to the table.  

“I’ve handled myself well in sparring against some of the top 10 lads in the country and I’m always wanting to do more rounds, so I can test myself.

“I’ve done eight rounds with Cori and Tion Gibbs (fellow pros) and I had the last spar with Conah Walker before he did the business (outpointed the unbeaten Cyrus Pattinson).

“Me and Conah used to box for the same amateur club (Merridale, Wolverhampton) and we became good mates. I was there to cheer him on and I take my hat off to him.

“After this one, it will be time for me to start stepping up and the Midlands title is a great opportunity for me. Hopefully, we can get it on down at the Hangar.

“Good luck to the lads who are boxing for it first and it doesn’t matter to me who wins, as long as someone does! I believe I can beat either of them when it’s my turn.

“I’ve got no hand issues now, so you are going to see a different fighter. I broke it for a second time, in my last fight, so I had one hand from the fourth round.

“I heard my right hand crack, again, but I had to get through it. I knew that as long as I could throw a punch with my other hand, I’d be able to adapt.

“There’s a lot more to me than that. I’m on fire now and ready to bring all of the smoke. I can’t wait to get back in there and, hopefully, knock the guy out.”

*Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.