Wolverhampton’s Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards hit the big stage with a brave effort in his first big promotion contest live on TnT sports. The thirty-five-year-old Midlands Champion was fighting on the undercard of the Queensberry promotions show at the resort World arena Birmingham (2.11.24). Osbourne-Edwards was putting his eleven-fight unbeaten record against the talented Eithan James in a ten round eliminator for the English Welterweight title. Both fighters weighed in ten stone six with Kevin Parker reffing the contest.
Fast start by Osbourne-Edward who used his jab well as he pushed and pressed James back, James tried to keep Osbourne-Edwards on the end of his jab but Osbourne-Edwards won this round. Osbourne-Edwards continued to target the body as James used his jab well moving around the ring winning the second round. Great movement by James in the third who controlled the pace with some Sharp jabs and backhands, Osbourne-Edwards continued to press but seemed to be falling short with his shots.
James’s jab was the difference in the fourth as Osbourne-Edwards continued to press but just couldn’t get past James' sharp jab, Osbourne-Edwards sustained a cut above his left eye which was judged by the ref to be caused by a punch. Osbourne-Edwards continued to press landing the odd big shots but it was James who was in control in the fifth with great movement and great jabs. James controlled the sixth peppering Osbourne-Edwards with his jab controlling the fight putting nice shots together banging in some hood shots.
Osbourne-Edwards had some joy at the start of the seventh getting dome good shots off and pressing James all the way, James continued to land good shots with Osbourne-Edwards eye pouring with blood but I have to give Osbourne-Edwards this round. Osbourne-Edwards went for it in the eighth as he tried to get close and landed some good shots, James kept his composure and boxed well on the back foot winning the round. James got back on his jab in the ninth picking some nice combinations as he moved around tge ring, Osbourne-Edwards continued to press and did have some joy but James won the round. Osbourne-Edwards continued to press, but James controlled the pace and used his jab to pick some nice combinations together, winning the round and the fight.
Judge Lee Evans scored it 97 – 93, Howard Foster scored it 99 – 91 and Terry O’Connor scored it 99 -92 all for Eithan James. I had it 97 to 93 James.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Brave performance from Osbourne-Edwards as he stepped up to the next level challenging in an English eliminator. Osbourne-Edwards battled hard and was Just outgunned by a better boxer and sustained a cut early which did not help. Osbourne-Edwards seemed to just enjoy the experience of fighting on a big show that was aired live on TV and giving his big fan base a great trip away from Wolverhampton. I’m sure Osbourne-Edwards has a few more fights in him but at thirty-five he may not get the chance again on the big stage. Osbourne-Edwards is an entertaining fighter and showed a lot of heart in this fight, I look forward to seeing him again soon in the ring.
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