Jimmy: prepare for a Midlands title epic
Osbourne-Edwards…faces Jamie Stewart at Hangar tomorrow
JERMAINE Osbourne-Edwards has been chasing a major fight, and that opportunity comes his way on BCB’s “Havoc At The Hangar VIII” show in Wolverhampton tomorrow, Friday, writes PAUL WEBB.
He takes on Potteries warrior Jamie Stewart for the Midlands light-welter title.
It has been a testing few weeks for Jimmy. Two opponent changes have seen his team work overtime to keep the fight going, and he has had to show patience as well as keep up his rigorous training regime.
The 34-year-old from Wolverhampton was first scheduled to box the previous belt holder, Telford’s Kirk Stevens, but he withdrew from the contest, vacating his title and choosing to take another fight in London against Youseff Khoumari.
Brummie Ishmael Ellis stepped in, but he had already got a bout in the diary against Cameron Vuong 27 days before this weekend’s event.
Ishmael was stopped, forcing a suspension that prevented him facing Jimmy. For the second time in a matter of weeks, promoter Errol Johnson was forced to go back to the drawing board.
The answer came in the form of Stoke’s Stewart, who put in a spirited but losing effort against James Scarrott in February for the welterweight belt, going the distance in a fight several observers ringside had him winning.
Overcoming the disappointment of the loss, he and his team jumped at the chance to step down to light-welter for his second Midlands title fight in less than a month.
“I’m happy that I put in the work and got the opportunity, said Osbourne-Edwards. “It’s a dream come true. Every fighter wants that first title shot, and it is finally here. It has been rocky with all the changes with my opponent and sometimes I wondered if it was actually going to happen, but we are here. I stayed focused, disciplined and grinding, and the fight is on.”
Boxing has provided an outlet for Jimmy to change his life around when it could have headed down a very different path. He trains at the Wolverhampton Boxing Club under head coach Richie Carter, who will be a busy man on fight night: he will also be in the corner for Lewis Morris when he faces Ryan Griffiths for the Midlands featherweight title.
Since turning professional in 2021, Osbourne-Edwards has amassed an impressive nine-fight unbeaten record, boxing the six round distance three times, with this being his first ten rounder.
He said: “The guvnor, Richie, puts the work in. Without him, I wouldn’t be the fighter I am today. It is as simple as that. I’m sparring 12 rounds with quality fighters and years ago I might have struggled to do two, and now I feel like I could have done 14 or 15.
“Stewart will be a tough challenge, but I will be crowned champion at the end of the fight - he won’t like my power. It’s going to be epic, I know I will get shivers. It’s my venue, my home, and when you are fighting for your first title, it is like a world title. I’ve worked so hard for this.”
Tickets for Havoc at the Hangar VIII are now available, priced at £40 standard and £75 VIP, from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.
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