'I used to dream about nights like this'

BBC News

09-07-2025

Boxer Lewis Edmondson says that people can expect to "see the best" of him when he fights Ukrainian Daniel Lapin later this month. The unbeaten British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion will box at Wembley Stadium on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois on 19 July. "It's going to be a great night on a historic card," 29-year-old Edmondson told BBC Sport. "I'm proud to be part of it."As a little boy when I first walked into an amateur boxing gym I used to dream about nights like this."This is as big as it gets really, I think people are going to see the best of me, I can't wait for it."His opponent Lapin is also unbeaten and part of Usyk's promotional company and has been involved in the heavyweight champion's training camp. In his last two outings, the 6ft 6ins southpaw has fought on big cards in Saudi Arabia and impressed with knockout and unanimous decision wins. Edmondson, who is 5ins shorter, is coming into the fight off the back of his first victory since picking up the British and Commonwealth light heavyweight titles. In late 2024 he beat Londoner Dan Azeez to claim the vacant belts and in March defended his Commonwealth title against the previously unbeaten Oluwatosin Kejawa.In May, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBOC) set a deadline of October for Edmondson to defend his titles against domestic rival Ezra Taylor. But after negotiations for that fight broke down, the Southampton man - who still hopes the Taylor fight can happen later this year - then jumped at the opportunity to appear on what will surely be one of the biggest cards of the year. "Lapin is an avoided fighter," he said. "A lot of people turn this opportunity down but not me, these kind of fights are what I'm in boxing for, a big night at Wembley Stadium with three belts on the line."To go from being in hospital with septicaemia, on death's door thinking I'd never box again, to fighting at Wembley Stadium it is crazy."Sometimes you don't get the chance to look back enough and I think it is important to appreciate the journey."Earlier on in his career Edmondson had some serious health scares, most notably septicaemia, external, another term used to describe blood poisoning. It is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by large amounts of bacteria entering the bloodstream.He says that an ingrown hair had to be operated on a number of times, which meant he was unable to box and was in and out of hospital for 18 months and even "close to not being here today."
Biggest stage yet for Southampton man
After picking up his titles in London against Azeez, 'The Saint' - as Edmondson is known - decided to sign a deal with Frank Warren's Queensberry promotions. He is now being promoted alongside fellow Southampton boxers Ryan Garner and Royston Barney-Smith, with the trio all dreaming of one day fighting at their hometown St Mary's Stadium - the home of Southampton FC. But for now now just days out from the big event, Edmondson's mind is focused on the task at hand in the capital against Lapin. This will be the largest arena Edmondson has fought in through his whole career, and he is hoping to make it a night to remember."There's going to be hundreds and thousands watching, it'll be insane," Edmondson said."I think I've shown 10 percent of what I've got so far, I'm looking forward to showcasing my skills and showing what I can do."I'm going to be putting Southampton on the map, it'll be a historic night for the city because there is a massive win incoming for me."