Amateur fighter Harry Edwards is set to take to the cage on October 21st, and he believes the lightweight title that’s on the line already has his name on it.
Edwards will take on the always game Luke Richardson at British Fighting Championship 4, in a contest that’s worth the ticket money alone. The fight will take place in the Middlesbrough Sports Village, and those eager to attend can purchase tickets from the fighters or the British Fighting Championship website.
Prior to making the walk in the aim of claiming gold, we had the chance to talk with Harry Edwards.
Interview With Harry Edwards
2023 has been good to you so far, Harry, and on October 21st, you look to go 3-0 and add a title towards the end of the year. How pleased are you with your work so far this year inside the cage?
I’m over the moon with how this year has gone so far! This year has really been about me finding comfort inside the cage and settling into my game. I’ve won one decision and had one submission finish this year, so I’ve shown that I’m a threat everywhere, whether it’s going the distance or hunting for a finish. But I’ve not rested on my laurels, and I intend to end 2023 as I started.
This great run comes after suffering a two-fight skid. What changed? Was it hard to pull yourself out of that slump and mindset?
So, the biggest change was definitely a mental adjustment. I’ve mentioned before how I used to build up these fights in my head to the point where the fight would start, and I’d feel like a deer in the headlights. 2023 has been very different. I’ve been competing very regularly, doing some form of combat sports competition almost every month, and this has gone a long way towards making competing normal, making each fight less of a big deal. This has allowed me to focus more on what I’m doing, on my skillset and the things that I want to accomplish in a given fight. And the results speak for themselves.
Harry Edwards Talks Luke Richardson
Your upcoming title fight with Luke Richardson will be five rounds. What extra measures do you take in camp? If any? As opposed to a three-rounder?
So, as we approach the five-week mark out from the fight, my sparring will become more specific to the title fight; however, for the past few weeks, I’ve been one of the main sparring partners for Adam Bramhald ahead of his big comeback win in his bantamweight title fight on Caged Steel. So, I’ve regularly been doing three or four five-minute rounds. Beyond that, I’m constantly working, always getting my rounds in at both AVT and IMA, as well as pushing the limits of my athleticism with my S&C at Elite Step. I’m leaving no stones unturned, and with the work, I’m putting in, anything less than a dominant victory wouldn’t just be disappointing, it would be a genuine surprise.
Luke Richardson is a game competitor and a very talented athlete. Given the opponent and the title being on the line, would it be fair to say it’s your toughest test to date?
I’ve seen some of Luke’s fights, and he’s a serious competitor. He is very well-rounded and technical, and he is an opponent I cannot take lightly. That said, with the level of opponents I’ve been fighting, none of them were opposition you could take lightly. And in the cases of Ward and Holmes, I’ve already competed against established champions across multiple organisations. None of this is to say that Luke Richardson is going to be easy. On the contrary, I’m preparing for a serious battle. But I’ve already fought against opponents of his calibre, and these are the challenges I live for. I’m getting ready for war, and I hope he is too.
Levels
You said you can’t wait to show those your improvements and the levels you’ve come on. In what area do you feel you’ve improved the most, and what can the BFC audience expect to see from you on fight night?
As I previously mentioned, my biggest personal development has been mental. But what this has translated to is a much more well-rounded Harry “Endgame” Edwards. I’ve shown the ability to land serious power shots repeatedly with both hands and feet and if we end up in a grappling exchange, I’m taking home a limb or your neck. Overall, lethality and flair are what the BFC crowd can expect, and I can’t wait to show them!
Finally, on paper, fans can expect a fun battle between you and Luke. On him, what are your honest thoughts on his skillsets and the style he brings to the cage?
Like I said before, Luke’s no cakewalk. He’s ranked #26 in the UK for a reason. He’s very calm and collected, and he uses his range very well. But I think I’ve got the tools to nullify his abilities. Wherever the fight goes and however it pans out, I am confident that by the end of the fight, there will be no doubt about who the better fighter is. I’m coming for what’s rightfully mine, and nothing is going to get in my way.
