A remarkable journey of talent, determination, and ambition as Derrick takes the next step in his boxing career.
Big news from the world of boxing! University of Portsmouth Sports Scholar Derrick Osadolor has officially signed with Sunny Edwards, stepping into the professional heavyweight arena. Derrick’s journey from a determined student athlete to a rising star in professional boxing is an inspiring story of hard work, resilience, and passion.
We caught up with Derrick to hear about his feelings on this milestone, what led him here, and what’s coming next for him in the pro ring.
Big news came out recently about signing with Sunny Edwards - how did that happen, and how are you feeling?
Yeah, I signed with Sunny Edwards and Anthony Fitzpatrick. Sunny’s more in the front, while Anton works more in the background, but they both work hard and they work very well as a team.
It all started on Instagram. I followed him, he followed me back, I liked his post, and we started talking. It went on for months, back and forth, while I was still in the amateurs group. I knew I wanted to turn over because I thought my style suited the pros better.
I realised I really connected with him. He’s been in the same situation as me, so I know that his heart is purer and he’ll never mislead me. That was important, and that’s why I decided to go forward with them.
What was your first conversation with Sunny like? And what is the dynamics with Sunny and Anthony like?
The first phone call was interesting. Once you meet Sunny, you see he’s really energetic, while I’m more of a calm and mellow person. But he’s sharp, smart, and knows exactly what he’s talking about.
We clicked straight away, had loads of phone calls. He told me about the stable, the opportunities, and what he could do for me. He’s been there and won it all - it’d be silly not to listen and go for it.
Anthony is very hardworking. He is a businessman, he knows what he wants and goes after it. He’s got all the credentials and history to show for it.
Also, he’s very funny like Sunny, and I get on with him really well - we all bounce off each other. For me, having a good connection with your managers is everything. If you don’t connect, it won’t work - in boxing or in life.
The good thing is they both know their value and how to show yours. In boxing, some people chase anything, even if it’s not realistic. Sunny and Anthony don’t do that - they know the depth, the worth, and they’ll only take what’s right. That’s why their stable is filled with quality fighters.
Want to know what’s behind Derrick’s success?
Go beyond the headlines and discover Derrick’s full journey - from his first time in the ring to becoming a BUCS champion and now turning pro. His story is packed with lessons on resilience, discipline, and chasing your dreams.
Behind the Gloves
Did the timing of turning pro feel right?
Yes, I felt it in my heart. I didn’t know exactly when, but it was like jumping into a swimming pool - you don’t know if the pool is cold or not, but you just do it. I thought, “What can go wrong?” If I try, I’ll try my hardest. I know I’ve got the fundamentals to be a good professional, so it felt right.
What are the next steps for you?
My debut fight. I can’t give you an exact date yet, but it’s coming soon, very soon. It’s going to be exciting, a big one with a lot of noise and people there. Hopefully, I’ll have dates by the end of August, but I don’t want to say anything until it’s confirmed.
What’s your walkout song going to be?
You’ll have to wait for my debut for that. I want it to hit people with a bang.
What does “setting the bar” in the heavyweight division mean for you?
For me, it’s about people looking at my style and saying, “I want to fight like him.” That’s setting the bar. Like how people want to have the same footwork as Lomanchenko. Or look at Mike Tyson, whom I really look up to. I’m very similar in build to him - we’re both small for the heavyweight. But he set the bar - he proved that there’s no such thing as being too small for heavyweights, so don’t believe in what others say about you.
And it’s the same for me, I want to show there’s no such thing as being “too small” for heavyweights.
You’ve said you want to “put Portsmouth on the map” and fight here one day. Why does representing your city mean so much?
I was actually born in Esslingen, Germany. Then my family and I moved to London, then Brighton, then a small place called Eastbourne. Not many people know it, but I actually came to Portsmouth mainly for boxing because I thought it had one of the best sports facilities, so I thought, “Let me go there”.
When I moved here for uni, I fell in love with the city. The people here are supportive, they back their athletes. The uni supported me so much, too, so I want to give back.
It’d be amazing to fight here with a massive crowd. If you’ve ever been to a Portsmouth football match, you know the atmosphere - the whole city can hear it. That’s what I want for boxing here.
What does “making it” look like to you?
When people know you and respect you - I think that's when you've made it. When you walk into a gym or anywhere, and people say, “Yeah, that’s him, he’s achieved big things.” When others want to copy your style or look at your career and aspire to do the same. That’s making it.
We’re absolutely thrilled to see one of our outstanding student-athletes graduate and take the next step in his journey by turning professional in boxing. As an accomplished amateur and ABA Super Heavyweight Champion, joining the ranks of previous winners of this title, legends like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, he has consistently demonstrated the talent, discipline, and character we strive to nurture through our sports scholarship programme. His success is a testament to the support and opportunities available at the University of Portsmouth, and we couldn’t be prouder of his achievements. We’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.
Congratulations to Derrick on this incredible achievement! Signing with Sunny Edwards is a huge milestone and the start of an exciting professional journey. His story shows what can happen when talent, determination, and the right support come together - from a University of Portsmouth Sports Scholar to a rising star in the heavyweight ring.
We can’t wait to see Derrick’s hard work and dedication pay off as he takes on new challenges, sets the bar for other athletes, and represents Portsmouth on the professional stage.
Follow Derrick’s journey, cheer him on and let his story inspire you - whether you’re an aspiring athlete, a student, or someone chasing their dreams. This is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come!