Maloney grants Edwards’ request by matching him against former British champion

Unbeaten Liverpool flyweight Paul Edwards has been handed his first significant test by promoter Frank Maloney when he meets former British super-flyweight champion Andy Bell at Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre on February 5.

The 2006 ABA champion has coasted to five impressive wins since turning pro eighteen months ago prompting the 23-year-old Edwards to demand to be stepped-up in class.

"I offered Paul a pretty routine six rounder that would have been a learning fight, but he wasn't interested and said he needed to be let off the leash. I offered him Andy (Bell) and Paul jumped at the chance to take what will be a big step up in class for him. Paul knows that if he has any hope of becoming British champion this year he needs to come out on top against the likes of Andy,” explained Maloney.

A win over Doncaster's Bell (11-4) would see the 5ft 5in scouser join the newly crowned English flyweight champion Ashley Sexton at the top of the queue to challenge British eight stone king Shinny Bayaar.

Maloney added: "Flyweight and heavyweight boxing are my favourite divisions and I am excited about the future of the eight stone division in this country. It would be nice to get Paul some top quality sparring against Thai or South American fighters to bring him on."

Doncaster’s Bell hasn’t fought since losing his British super-flyweight title on points to Lee Haskins in November 2008. Bell was subsequently suspended for six months by the British Boxing Board of Control after testing positive for traces of cannabis following a blood test.

Topping the bill in Nottingham sees the in-form Jason Booth defending his British super-bantamweight title against Mathew Marsh. The show will also feature the return of former British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson after almost two years out.