Charlie Edwards vs Julio Cesar Martinez declared No Contest

Edwards vs Martinez declared No Contest

World Boxing Council flyweight champion, Charlie Edwards (15-1, 6 KOs), retained his championship in underwhelming fashion after the fight was declared a “No Contest” against the WBC world #1 ranked mandatory challenger, Mexican Julio Cesar Martinez (14-1, 11 KOs), at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Martinez, who recently defeated Edwards' fellow Brit Andre Selby, pressed the action and knocked down the champion in the third round. Then, Martinez landed Edwards an illegal liver punch when the champion was already on his knees.

Edwards could not beat the count of 10 because of the cheap shot and Martinez was declared the new champion, but the WBC immediately decreed the fight as a “No Contest” and ordered a direct rematch, after analyzing the actions, via the Replay System.

Edwards commented post-fight, "What I can say, I'm gutted the way the fight ended. Very hard night in the office and it's the last way I would have wanted to keep my title. Martinez is a tough, strong, world class opponent. Big thank you to everyone for the support, it means the world."