Sunny Edwards believes it was his rival Julio Cesar Martinez's fault that their potential unification world title fight collapsed.
Edwards looked set to face WBC champion Martinez in a huge unification clash which would likely have been promoted by Matchroom Boxing and kingpin Eddie Hearn. The pair were deep in negotiations to stage a showdown in Mexico, but Martinez instead agreed to face mandatory challenger McWilliams Arroyo.
The British star was bitterly disappointed after losing his shot at unifying the division, and will now instead take on his own mandatory challenger Felix Alvarado at the Sheffield Arena on Friday night. However he believes it was Martinez who pulled the plug on the fight.
"It's not Eddie Hearn's job to deliver me anything," Edwards told Mirror Fighting ahead of his ring return. "I haven't signed a contract with him or anything. But I genuinely believe him Matchroom Boxing and everyone who was involved genuinely wanted the fight. I just think they are sick and tired of Martinez and his unreliability to be honest.
"They also know they have ten fighters that if my name is on a poster with them they are big events. He doesn't need to promote me, it is probably better for us both if he has someone constantly on the other side. I will go there and he will have his arm around Martinez. Who have you got next for me Eddie? We have got Joshua Franco, Roman Gonzalez, we have Galal Yafai and we have so many options. Win lose or draw it is all nice, I just want to be in big events.
"I don't fear anyone in my weight or the weight above. If I do not get a unification at flyweight as my next fight next year, I am moving weight and I could go up or down but the flyweights are scared of me. Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez, he has promised to switch down to fight me but we will see and I will not hold my breath. All I can take of this ordeal is a great compliment, and genuinely you can see that Eddie Hearn knows I accepted everything."
Who would you like to see Sunny Edwards fight if he beats Felix Alvarado? Let us know in the comments section below
Hearn and Edwards had previously exchanged words over a fight with Martinez, which looked well on its way to completion prior to the collapse. Edwards now works with promoter Probellum after leaving Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions, but has yet to pick up a huge fight to boost his chances of becoming undisputed champion.
A huge potential fight could emerge with rising star Galal Yafai who is starting to gain momentum en route to a world title shot in the future after his gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. However Edwards will now need to progress beyond Alvarado before any fresh talks can be held.
Sunny Edwards takes on Felix Alvarado at Probellum Sheffield on Friday, November 11. Limited tickets still available at Ticketmaster.co.uk
