Sunny Edwards’ coach has addressed the criticism coming his way.
Chris Williams was in the corner for what proved to be the final fight of the former flyweight world champion’s career in Birmingham, England on Saturday night.
Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai was the better man from the first bell as he picked up the biggest win of his career by stopping Edwards inside six rounds.
However, it was a moment before the third frame that made headlines.
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Sunny Edwards shocks the world with mid-fight admission
Sunny Edwards was outfought in every facet by Galal Yafai for the first six minutes.
Before round three got underway, the 28-year-old was caught on camera telling his coach that he didn’t want to fight anymore.
Edwards said: “Do you want me to be real with you? I don’t even want to be here.”
Williams replied: “Don’t be f***ing stupid lad.
“Listen, stop feeling f***ing sorry for yourself right now. Stop feeling sorry for yourself because you have had one f***ing bad round.”
Edwards carried on fighting for a few more rounds, but things didn’t get any better and he was ultimately saved by the referee, whose actions put Yafai in line for a world title fight.
Chris Williams hits back at critics
Williams has faced some criticism for not pulling his fighter out as soon as he made the startling admission about not wanting to be there.
Now he’s broken his silence and defended the job he did for Edwards, who announced his retirement from boxing during a post-fight interview in the ring.
“Gutted last night didn’t go the way we wanted it,” Williams wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve seen people online saying I should have pulled Sunny out as soon as he told me that in the corner, I disagree but everyone’s going to have their opinion.
“The main thing to me is Sunny is happy with what went down in the corner.
“Fair play to @galalyafai he’s a quality fighter. Thank you for letting me be part of your last dance lad @sunnyedwards”
Edwards thanked his coach for refusing to let him quit at a post-fight press conference.
Williams has since been inundated with positive messages about his corner work from people in boxing.