SOUTHAMPTON boxer Lewie Edmondson admitted it has been a "crazy" week since he was crowned British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion. 

The 28 year old Saints fan took the titles off of Dan Azeez as part of a card headlined by light-welterweights Adam Azim and Ohara Davies.

His bout last Saturday was a close contest as former European and British champion Azeez was a familiar foe, having boxed previously in the amateur divisions. 

Edmondson and Azeez went the full 12 rounds before a majority decision ruled the Southampton fighter the new champion.

Dan Azeez and Lewie Edmondson locked in battleDan Azeez and Lewie Edmondson locked in battle (Image: PA)

It prompted elated scenes as 18 years of energy spent in the gym returned itself to the universe with each spring of Edmonson's boots off of the Copper Box Arena canvas. 

"It's good to finally start getting what we always knew we had, you know?" said champion Edmondson, speaking to the Daily Echo.

"From the minute I first stepped in the gym at Golden Ring, being told you're special and destined for big things - but there have been ups and downs.

"I knew I was up against it fighting a former British European champion who's fought for a World title - and he'd only lost for a World title.

"He's done many 12-rounders and it was my first, he's been on TV lots. It was a big step up, a big risk. But you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don't take.

"It was unbelievable but I was back in the gym on Wednesday because I've got what everybody wants now - there's going to be a target on my back."

'The Saint' credits Golden Ring's Stuart Gill, manager Billy Joe Saunders and current coach Jacob Macmillan as the three who have "moulded" him into the fighter he is. 

But Edmondson's journey to 10-0 and British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion has not been completely straightforward.

Lewie Edmondson takes aim at his opponentLewie Edmondson takes aim at his opponent (Image: PA)

Edmondson had to refuse to let a serious case of septicemia derail his boxing career, although it meant he was in and out of hospital for 18 months.

His last operation was in March 2022. We have seen the pictures of his disfigured backside and although they obviously cannot be printed, take our word for it - it looks painful!

"I had that open wound for like five years. It kept getting infected and I was on antibiotics for ages," Edmondson explained. 

"It was very, very bad. I had a little cyst and then they cut it out but the wound just wouldn't heal, because it didn't get all the infection out.

"In the end, I was training, I was with a boxing trainer and he just said, 'Lew, you need to get that sorted', because it was smelling in the gym!

"A lot of people didn't think I would fight again was very skinny and I was in hospital. To be fair, I was just worried about surviving than boxing."

Edmondson's success continues a bright period for the city, with unbeaten boxers in WBC International super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner (15-0) and Royston Barney-Smith (12-0). 

Lewie Edmondson celebrates his title victoryLewie Edmondson celebrates his title victory (Image: PA)

"The city is getting behind me and it's history for the city," Edmondson said. "A lot of people are getting behind it and I think it's good for the city."

Edmondson can look forward to picking a voluntary offer in defence of his title in the home corner of a ring he chooses, which he hopes could come in January.

He had taken the fight against Azeez on five weeks' notice, having been training for a different fight in Suadi Arabia which eventually fell through. 

"We want to push on for the world honours. We want to push on so let's just see what the next steps are," said Edmondson.

"We're sitting down with a few promoters now and seeing what offers are on the table for a TV promotional deal because we didn't have one before.

"Now there's a lot of offers on the table. I would like to be out at the end of January and I'm pretty sure I'll be defending the belts.

"Sometimes people vacate the belts and move on to European. It depends on what they want to do, you know. You've got to look at the options and move from there."