The unbeaten American heavyweight Joshua Edwards has been compared for a long time with Deontay Wilder, but now he says that he is not interested in being called one. Joshua understands the comparison, but he wants his rise to be judged on his own identity.
Edwards returns on June 20 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, on the Oscar Collazo vs. Joey Canoy card, as another win would keep him moving as one of the more interesting young American heavyweights under the Golden Boy banner.
The Wilder comparisons have followed him because of his American heavyweight profile, amateur background and early knockouts. But Edwards says the styles are not the same. “I honestly hate the comparisons,” he said. “I’m more of a boxer first rather than a puncher, with all respect to Wilder.”
Edwards made it clear he respects what Wilder achieved, calling him “a legend in the sport,” but he does not want to build his career around someone else’s name. “I just want to be my own fighter,” he said. “The comparisons are natural.”
Golden Boy appears to be moving Edwards carefully, letting him gain experience rather than rushing him into names above his current stage. For Edwards, that patience matters, because as he said himself, the goal is to become the first Joshua Edwards.
Image Credit: USA Boxing