AFTER a nine-month wait, Jayson Mama finally gets his chance of becoming a world champion, and he won’t let this rare opportunity slip away.
Mama is challenging International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Sunny Edwards on Sept 11 at the Copper Box Arena at the Queen Elizabeth Park in London, England.
“We like his chances. Edwards is a good champion but Jayson is very well-conditioned,” Mama’s handler, Sanman Promotions chief executive officer JC Manangquil, told SunStar Cebu.
Mama was supposed to challenge then champion Moruti Mthalane for the IBF flyweight belt on Dec. 20, 2020 in South Africa. But the fight was cancelled after the South African promoter, Tono Promotions, failed to comply with Boxing South Africa’s requirements to stage the event.
Mama, who was the mandatory challenger, gave way to an Edwards vs. Mthalane fight on April 30 in London, with the assurance that he would be the next challenger.
Edwards, a 25-year-old unbeaten prospect, scored a unanimous decision upset and dethroned the aging Mthalane, who dominated the flyweight division in the past 11 years.
Edwards has never faced an elite name before his win over Mthalane.
Mama is eager to prove to everybody that he’s world championship material. He has shown signs of brilliance after huge wins over former World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight champion Ekkawit Songnui and one-time world title challenger Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr.
“Jayson is very hungry to win. That’s his advantage,” said Manangquil.
After his cancelled fight with Mthalane, the 24-year-old Mama fought an activity fight in Gen. Santos City on April 30. He stopped Romshane Sarguilla in eight rounds.
Mama and his team spent more than a week in Dubai and left for London on Sept. 7.
Mama is 16-0 with nine knockouts, while Edwards is 16-0 with four knockouts.
If victorious, Mama joins IBF minimumweight champion Rene Cuarto, WBA minimumweight king Vic Saludar, IBF super flyweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas, World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr., interim WBC bantamweight titlist Reymart Gaballo, World Boxing Organization bantamweight title holder Johnriel Casimero as the Philippines’ world champions.