Thomas Essomba vs Charlie Edwards: Live Updates & Results

23:27:09
It’s all over

That concludes our coverage of this evening’s European bantamweight showdown at York Hall – and we have a new champion. Charlie Edwards, take a bow.

23:25:59
Big in Japan

Charlie Edwards speaks after winning the European bantamweight title. He said: “Thomas is a tricky operator and I already knew that coming into this. im a real champion and I want to fight champions. This puts me in a very good position and I have options everywhere. Who knows what happens next but Mr Honda I’d like to come out to Japan and take on one of your champions.”

23:20:51
AND THE NEW!

Charlie Edwards is the new European bantamweight champion after all three judges score in his favour.
Mark Bates had it 117-111, Kieran McCann 116-112 and Kevin Parker the widest at 118-111. A fair result for sure.

23:18:07
We go to the scorecards…

There is no finish in the 12th but it is Edwards who turns the screw in the final round, landing with combinations while Essomba seems unwilling to let his hands go. Now we must wait for the judges’ scorecards…

23:14:55
And it’s into the last

Some sharp Edwards work at the end of the 11th might just have been enough to claim the round in the eye of the judges and that could be all important. There has been very little to choose between them and the European title might just ride on who wins round 12. Here we go.

23:10:10
10 down

Another close round comes and goes but this time it is Essomba who lands the most meaningful shots, and again from orthodox. This time it is a left hook and a right hand which get through and momentarily stun Edwards. But the challenger responds with a sharp left hook of his own. Into the penultimate round we go.

23:06:32
Bombs away

The ninth comes alive at the end of the round as Essomba switches to orthodox and starts letting fly with his right hand, which seems to land and get Edwards’ attention. The challenger from Epsom had some success of his own, too, especially with the left hook to the body. Now the championship rounds are upon us and this is close.

23:02:24
Good round for Edwards…

Edwards is working well in phases now, attacking, defending the counter, then firing back. He lands a lovely uppercut up close then slides out of range to avoid what comes back from Essomba. We head into the ninth.

22:58:34
Heating up…

The sixth is a very close round, during which both men have pockets of success. Essomba is not waiting as long as he was early on in the fight, meaning he is able to get more of his work off while Edwards is throwing. There are five rounds left and it is still all to play for.

22:54:44
Essomba working his way back?

Probably Essomba’s best round so far as he begins to close the gap a little. He lands with a big left hook from his southpaw stance and probably does enough to take the round. Is this the start of a turning tide?

22:51:04
More of the same

Edwards boxing well, fully in control and surely well ahead on the cards at the sold out York Hall. Essomba needs to change things around here if he wants to leave east London with the belt.

22:47:04
Four down

As Stephen Smith delivers his instructions to his fighter Edwards, the corner goes to work on his cut. Essomba has not been able to make a dent in him yet and Edwards is dictating the pace well from both stances. Into the fifth we go.

22:42:37
Eye-catching

Once again, it is Edwards who lands the cleaner shot throughout the round, displaying good variety with the right hand, which lands straight and as an uppercut. Essomba hasn’t had much success of his own yet but a cut seems to be opening under Edwards’ right eye.

22:38:33
Edwards in control

The second is a good round for Edwards, who spears home a couple of straight lead right hands while also keeping Essomba quiet for the majority of the three minutes. This has been a patient, promising start for the challenger – can Essomba knock him out of his rhythm?

22:34:42
One down…

A nice, sharp start from the challenger Edwards, looking to use his height and reach advantage by keeping things long against his shorter, southpaw opponent. He looks good doing it for the most part but does get tagged by a couple of counter left hands. Then, in the closing stages of the round when Edwards turns southpaw, Essomba puts his foot down and has some success. Into the second we go…

22:30:13
Seconds out…

Round one. After Sunny applauds warmly as his brother is announced, referee Victor Loughlin gives his final instructions. Here we go.

22:25:24
Here comes Edwards…

For the second time in five months, Edwards makes his ring walk at York Hall. As the challenger, the 31-year-old is walking first with brother Sunny, in a fur coat, already in the ring waiting for his client, the champion, Thomas Essomba.

22:21:48
But first…

‘Atomic’ Tom Welland speaks. He said: “There wasn’t any nerves tonight. I was relaxed in there. I kept my mind active and it made me relaxed. I could hear my mum, my auntie, my dad, I could hear them all in here! My nan has been unwell so this was for her.”

22:17:25
Main event time

After that explosive finish from Welland, we are straight into the main event, with Charlie Edwards taking on Thomas Essomba, who is managed by his younger brother Sunny. York Hall is rocking, as usual.

22:13:34
IT’S ALL OVER

Welland adjusts and then some in the second, dropping Martinez with a left-hook, right-hand combination midway through the round. the visitor is up on unsteady legs but allowed to continue but down he goes again. This time he is up just inside referee Amy Pu’s count but there is no let up from Welland. When Martinez is down for a third time, the referee decides enough is enough. The official time of the stoppage was 2:31 of round two.

22:10:22
And we’re off…

An incredibly lively start between Welland and Martinez. The latter is 8-23-2 (6) but brings the heat in an entertaining first round, landing with a couple of right hands, and missing with a load more. Let’s see how Welland can adjust in the second.

22:02:19
First TV fight incoming…

Good evening all, we are minutes away from the first televised fight of the night from York Hall with highly rated prospect Tom Welland taking on Darwing Martinez over four threes at featherweight. Of course, this clash between the 5-0 Essex man and the Nicaraguan journeyman serves as an hors d’oeuvres for the main event with Charlie Edwards challenging Thomas Essomba for his European bantamweight title.

Thomas Essomba and Charlie Edwards go head to head for Essomba’s European 118-pound strap at York Hall, live on Channel 5, promoted by Wasserman.

Who is on the Thomas Essomba vs Charlie Edwards undercard?

12 x 3 mins EBU Bantamweight Title
Thomas Essomba vs Charlie Edwards

8 x 3 mins Super Middleweight
Germaine Brown vs Grant Dennis

6 x 3 mins Super Lightweight
Jesse Brandon vs Miguel Angel Nunez

6 x 3 mins Middleweight
Joel Bartell vs Nikolas Dzurnak

6 x 3 mins Lightweight
Brandan Olbrechts vs Brayan Mairena

6 x 2 mins Super Lightweight
Hannah Robinson vs Laura Reoyo

4 x 3 mins Featherweight
Tom Welland vs Darwing Martinez

4 x 3 mins Featherweight
Danny Boardman vs Yin Caicedo

4 x 3 mins Light Heavyweight
Hasnan Ali vs Tommy Sams