Edner Cherry fought for a world title before Omar Douglas even stepped in the ring as a professional, but now their careers have reached intersecting paths.
Two-time world title challenger Edner Cherry is 11-1 since losing to Timothy Bradley Jr. in a 140-pound championship bout in September 2008. (Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions)
In a clash of 135-pound title hopefuls, Cherry will battle Douglas on April 4 in a 10-round bout that headlines a Premier Boxing Champions Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays card at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (FS1, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
The broadcast also will feature a pair of eight-round bouts as unbeaten 126-pound prospects Stephen Fulton (10-0, 5 KOs) and Luis Rosario (8-0-1, 7 KOs) square off, and Bethlehem's Frank De Alba (21-2-2, 9 KOs) takes on Massachusetts native Ryan Kielczweski (26-2, 8 KOs) in a 130-pound contest.
Edner Cherry (35-7-2, 19 KOs) has twice competed for a world championship in his 16-year pro career. The 34-year-old native of the Bahamas, who now lives in Wauchula, Florida, dropped a unanimous decision to Timothy Bradley Jr. in a 140-pound title bout in September 2008, then won 10 straight fights before losing a split decision to 130-pound titleholder Jose Pedraza in October 2015.
In his last bout, the 5-foot-8 Cherry earned a 10-round unanimous decision over Haskell Rhodes in Bethlehem in June.
“I have to give Omar Douglas credit for taking this fight,” Cherry said. “We're both very hungry, so I think this is going to be entertaining for the fans. Omar is coming off a loss, so I know he needs this win. We both come with speed and power. It's going to be fireworks on April 4.”
Omar Douglas (17-1, 12 KOs) dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Javier Fortuna in Philadelphia in November. He floored the former 130-pound world champion in Round 1 but was unable to build off that in his first career defeat.
The 26-year-old Wilmington, Delaware, native will be fighting for the seventh straight time in Pennsylvania after competing solely in his home state for his first 12 pro bouts.
The 5-foot-7 Douglas, who won five Pennsylvania Golden Gloves championships as an amateur, looks to regain his momentum by taking on his most seasoned opponent since making his pro debut in May 2011.
Cherry and Douglas were originally scheduled to fight as the co-main event in Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 17, but the bout was moved to become a marquee matchup.
“I'm looking forward to a great fight on April 4,” Douglas said. “I have a good experienced opponent in front of me. This fight will show my full arsenal, because I know he's going to bring pressure. I can box or come forward. I plan to use my jab to win rounds and get this victory.”
For a complete look at Cherry vs Douglas, visit our fight page.
