Angel Moreno has threatened to leave WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards “like a broken toy” when they fight on Saturday night.
Edwards makes the first defence of his title against his former sparring partner at London’s Copper Box Arena, where victory will take him into contention for more lucrative fights.
Spaniard Moreno, 35, has never previously fought for a world title but, like Edwards, takes confidence from the times they sparred together almost three years ago.
“When I win, don’t leave Charlie aside like a broken toy,” said Moreno, in an apparent attempt to unsettle his 26-year-old opponent and promoters Matchroom.
“He has huge potential as a fighter, so keep on supporting him even when I become the champion on Saturday night.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a while and it’s the perfect time and place to become champion.
“We’ll have an amazing fight. The one who has the belt at the final bell will have gone through hell. It’s going to be the fight of a lifetime.”
The hugely-promising Andrew Selby fights in Mexico on Saturday evening to become mandatory challenger to the winner of the Edwards-Moreno clash, potentially next giving Edwards the marketable opponent required to earn greater money.
It was in September 2016 at the O2 Arena when Edwards was stopped by IBF champion John Riel Casimero in his world title fight, and Matchroom contributed to him rebuilding a reputation that swelled in December when he defeated Cristofer Rosales to win the WBC title.
“I understand he’s very hungry but talk’s cheap,” Edwards said. “Me winning this title hasn’t made me relaxed. I want to go down as a British great and it’s made me a better fighter.
“I’m more confident and adapting more (in the gym and sparring). I want to thank Eddie (Hearn) for believing in me when I was down at the bottom.
“I don’t feel the pressure and I’m enjoying what I’m doing, I’m in love with my lifestyle now. All those years of hard work are paying off.
“I’ve shared many rounds with him in the gym and he’s very tough. (But) I’m completely different now.”
PA
