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Add FightsATW on GoogleThe heavyweight division continues to buzz in boxing, but Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk, and co. are closer to retirement than to their prime. One heavyweight who is beginning to create a good buzz around him is the undefeated 26-year-old Joshua ‘The Rocket’ Edwards (6-0, 5 KOs).
Edwards, from Houston, Texas, is returning to the building where he made his Golden Boy Promotions debut just 14 months ago. I was at Edwards’ April 2025 debut at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, CA. After hearing some chatter about an American heavyweight making his debut, I watched him stop Larry Gonzales in two rounds. It was an impressive outing, and on Saturday night live on DAZN, Edwards hopes to emulate it.
“I tried to showcase my skills as much as I could before getting my opponent out of their in my first fight,” Edwards told FightsATW. “So I basically plan on doing the same thing [Saturday night]. I plan on going in there and not just running at him and going for the knockout. I want to show my skills, pick him apart, and set traps. That’s my plan.”
His opponent on Saturday is 41-year-old Garreth Payton from New Orleans, Louisiana. Although he’s only fought three fighters with winning records, Payton is unpredictable, and fighters like him can spell trouble if Edwards takes him lightly.
Edwards represents a group of heavyweights in their 20s who are looking to be at the top of the division in the future. Although he knows the current regime likely won’t offer him a shot any time soon, he remains patient and knows that his time will come.
“It’s a new generation of heavyweights coming up,” he said. “I wish we had a few more. What we have, I feel like is solid as far as skills go. I feel like this new generation of heavyweights is what’s going to turn the tables.”
If you ask Oscar De La Hoya or Eric Gomez from Golden Boy about Edwards, they immediately get giddy and are excited to talk about him. The Golden Boy brass has stayed in contact with Edwards, and he is happy with how things are going.
“They (De La Hoya and Gomez) are just trying to keep me busy right now. I’m at a phase in my career where I’m continuously trying to get better before throwing myself out there to take any fight. I had a lot of amateur experience, but experience is something you can never get too much of. I’m down for the ride to keep getting better with every fight and learning something every fight. That way, I can be top-notch with no holes in my game.”
When Edwards steps in on Saturday night in Oceanside, he aims to showcase something you don’t often see from heavyweights. “Fastest hands in the heavyweight division and not easy to hit,” Edwards said about what fans should expect. “I decide in my mind whether you’re going to hit me or not.” With confidence at an all-time high, Edwards left one last thought for those in his division who may or may not decide to share the ring with him in the future.
“I’m not going nowhere,” said Edwards. “I’m going to continue to get better and better. Just hope you don’t have to cross my path.”
Can Edwards become the next top heavyweight coming out of the U.S.? Only time will tell, but on Saturday, he gets an opportunity to gain new fans and add fuel to ‘The Rocket.’
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