“You Deserve So Much Credit”: Former World Champion Tony Bellew Hypes Up Sunny Edwards Following Jesse Rodriguez Loss

Sunny Edwards, once an undefeated IBF flyweight champion, faced a stark reality in Arizona. Against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, Edwards’ record faced its first blemish. Yet, it’s not the loss that’s stirring the pot; it’s his reaction. Post-fight, Edwards turned to Twitter, not with excuses, but with an emoji-laden, almost comical acknowledgment of his defeat.

This unusual response caught the eye of the boxing community, particularly Tony Bellew, a former world champion known for his straightforward takes. Bellew’s reply added an intriguing layer to Edwards’ public persona. What did Tony say?

Tony Bellew’s salute: Celebrating Sunny Edwards’ spirit in the face of defeat

Following this significant defeat, Edwards took an unconventional route. Instead of dwelling in disappointment, he tweeted, “Yo @210bam beat my ass,” a message that radiated his sportsmanship and acceptance. This tweet, characterized by its candid humor and grace in defeat, painted Edwards not as a defeated boxer but as a resilient sportsman.

Responding to this unusual yet commendable approach, Tony Bellew, a former world champion known for his incisive commentary, stepped in with words of high praise. Bellew tweeted, “You deserve so much credit! You wanna face the best when you could have quite easily of faced other champions and won easily! You Sunny are what’s great about boxing! You’re an amazing fighter who fights ANYONE ANYWHERE! There ain’t many like you left champ! I salute you!.” This response from Bellew wasn’t just a pat on the back; it was an acknowledgment of Edwards’ bravery.

The contrast between Edwards’ lighthearted tweet and the grueling fight that preceded it exemplifies the unique blend of toughness and humility that defines professional boxing. Now let’s see what Jesse had to say about Edwards.

Bam Rodriguez extends an olive branch

In a remarkable display of sportsmanship following their intense bout, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez extended warm praise towards Sunny Edwards. After securing a two-title victory, Rodriguez visited Edwards in his dressing room, offering not only words of respect but also an invitation to spar in the future.

Acknowledging Edwards’ surprising speed and tactical intelligence, Rodriguez admitted, “He was a lot quicker than I thought; a lot smarter than I thought. I made him wanna fight… He got caught.” This encounter underscores a profound mutual respect, transcending the rivalry seen in the ring.

From Edwards’ humorous and gracious acceptance of defeat on social media to Bellew’s heartfelt commendation and Rodriguez’s respectful acknowledgment of his opponent’s abilities, this series of events goes beyond the typical narrative of winning and losing.

Also Read: World Champion Sunny Edwards Decides to Wear Promoter’s Hat for the Upcoming EBU Title Fight

How does the display of such sportsmanship and mutual respect in the face of intense rivalry change our perception of competitive sports?

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