Edwards vs Juarez Predictions: Former world champ Charlie climbs the mountain

Edwards vs Juarez Odds

Edwards is your 2/11 favourite. The draw is up at 16/1 while Juarez is 9/2 to win it.

Edwards vs Juarez Fight Preview

Edwards vacated his WBC flyweight belt in 2019 due to health concerns. Making 112 pounds was a physical strain that his body could no longer tolerate. Between 2021 and 2023, personal trauma, mental health issues and alcohol addiction robbed the excellent boxer of two years of his prime and the quality of life he had earned in the ring.

Edwards’ mother Terry battled cancer and a bleed on the brain. A rollercoaster emotional battle more severe than any an opponent had put Charlie or his brother Sunny, another world champion flyweight, through between the ropes. With that ordeal weighing heavy, the online abuse Edwards endured for giving up his world title, despite it being paramount for his continued health to move up in weight, drove the boxer to seek solace in the bottle.

But fighters fight and Edwards summoned the same will that took him to a world championship to return to the ring from his own personal hell. After getting his eye in against journeyman-to-the-stars Darwing Martinez in June 2023, Edwards has taken on contests of increasing toughness.

Edwards widely outscored France’s former European champ Georges Ory over 10 rounds. The 32-year-old then went one better, defeating the reigning European bantamweight champion Thomas Essomba to snare the first major title of his comeback. Back in the win column, back in the world rankings, back in the saddle.

It was a dream after a long nightmare. But every dream ends in someone waking up. Charlie’s rude awakening came at the hands of the British and Commonwealth champion, Andrew Cain. 

A split decision defeat is not ruinous on paper. But the manner of Edwards’ performance drew criticism for his perceived negativity. After early success with adept counters, later rounds saw Edwards circling without engaging. It was a far cry from the Charlie Edwards who had been willing to take one to land two in the European title win over Essomba.

Edwards bids to put things right against Juarez, a Mexican who has been boxing professionally since he was 16. The visitors record is light on signature wins but he has been in with decent opposition. Juarez’s best victory is a unanimous decision over Joel Cordova, who boxed previous Edwards opponent Julio Cesar Martinez for the WBC belt. Another world title challenger, Argi Cortes stopped the Mexican in nine rounds. But Juarez is an effective gatekeeper. Names like Geraldo Valdez, Leosdan Nunez and Ryusei Moriwaki were touted prospects before their unbeaten records fell to the 32-year-old.

This is a different situation for ‘Peloncito’. He is not here to measure the abilities of an emerging star. Juarez faces an opponent who has seen and done more than him. A fighter with another crack at the world crown in his sights. The stage is set.

Edwards vs Juarez Full Card

Michael Conlan vs Jack Bateson

Charlie Edwards vs Salvador Juarez

Ben Marksby vs Senan Kelly

Dan Toward vs Khalid Ennachat

Glenn Byrne vs Charly Lopez

Dean Walsh vs Jamil Elo

Kieran Molloy vs Nourdeen Toure

Kevin Cronin vs Grant Dennis

Codie Smith vs Mario Victorino Vera

Paul Loonam vs Jake Pollard

Cain Lewis vs Erick Omar Lopez

Kian Hedderman vs Alexandru Crasnitchii

Gerard Hughes vs TBA

Edwards vs Juarez Prediction

I think Edwards will come to impress. With a bumper Channel 5 audience watching, along with what is likely to be a rowdy Dublin crowd, he will not want to attract the boos and whistles that marred his last outing.

Only Cortes has ever stopped Juarez. Edwards only has seven knockouts from his nine wins. But I can see him wanting to cut the ring off against a hardy but limited foe. I see the Surrey man being too quick here. Those fists are educated and I think Charlie will find gaps in his opponent’s defence to score the win at 2/11.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.