27-05-2025
Rivals set to clash as Lewis Edmondson ordered to defend Commonwealth title against Ezra Taylor
Lewis Edmondson, 11-0 (3), and Ezra Taylor, 12-0 (8), will swap trading barbs for exchanging blows, with BBBofC ordering the two light heavyweights to meet for the British and Commonwealth titles.
Southampton-based Edmondson currently holds both titles, with Taylor named his mandatory challenger after the latter's victory over Troy Jones on the undercard of Cacace-Wood last weekend.
In the build-up to Taylor's bout with Jones, Edmondson attended a press conference to exchange words with his light heavyweight rival.
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29-year-old Edmondson earned both belts with a majority decision win over Dan Azeez in October 2024, despite being deducted a point in the eighth round for punching on the break.
It will be Edmondson's second defence of his Commonwealth title, having beaten Oluwatosin Kejawa of Nigeria in March, with Taylor watching on from ringside. However, Edmondson is yet to defend his British title, which will also be on the line against Taylor.
A statement from the BBBofC outlined the next steps for both fighters, reading: 'The Stewards decided to put out the above mandatory defence contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board's Head Office by 12:00pm on Wednesday, 11th June 2025, the contest to take place by the end of October 2025.'
The BBBofC also confirmed that Edmondson's fellow Southampton fighter, super featherweight Ryan Garner, will be competing for the British title when he faces belt holder Reece Bellotti in Bournemouth, on Saturday, July 26.
A statement from the board read: 'The Stewards decided to approve a request from Promoter Frank Warren for the above voluntary defence contest, which will take place on Saturday, 26th July 2025 in Bournemouth.'
Alongside Garner, both Edmondson and Taylor are signed to Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.
