Welsh super-featherweight Rhys Edwards is eying a big 2025 after signing a management deal with Anto Fitzpatrick.

The 24-year-old stepped in at late notice to fight Peter McGrail in Riyadh on December 21 and impressed against the Liverpudlian southpaw.

Edwards suffered the first defeat of his career but pushed McGrail hard throughout the 10 rounds and only narrowly missed out on the cards, with two judges scoring it 96-94 and the other even closer at 96-95.

Now it is understood that Edwards has penned a deal with influential manager and advisor Fitzpatrick, who also works with McGrail, as he bids to take his career to the next level.

Edwards had faced McGrail on only a few days’ notice after the initial opponent, Dennis McCann, returned an adverse finding in a pre-fight drugs test. However, an immediate rematch seems unlikely given the Welshman usually operates at super-feather, while McGrail has been campaigning at super-bantamweight.

But Edwards said: “The rematch could be possible. I said straight away I could move down to his weight to make it happen.

“But I’ve just signed with Peter McGrail’s manager now, Anto Fitzpatrick, so I don’t know what will happen.

“I’m just looking forward to getting on the big shows again, really knuckling down and making a good living for myself

“Me and Anto were in talks before the fight but obviously it was a bit awkward to sign before the fight because I was fighting his fighter.

“But now I’ve signed with him and I’m sure he can deliver me big fights so I’m really looking forward to this year.”