Former world champion and now boxing promoter Barry Michael called Edney last Thursday morning with a big favour to ask.

Michael promoted a bout between Australian super middleweight champion Jake Carr and Mohammad Akrong, of Ghana, set down for last Saturday night at the Melbourne Pavilion.

But Akrong withdrew.

Michael had to try to find a suitable boxer to fill the void so he called Edney.

“Barry Michael rang me on Thursday morning and he was desperate to find someone to fight Jake Carr,” Edney said.

“I am having shoulder surgery in April and it was funny because I was training that morning before I got the call and I said to the bloke I was training with that I would love one more fight before the operation.

“So when Barry called I had to make the decision on the spot and I decided to give it a go.

“It was a big risk to take on someone like Jake and I knew it would be a L on my win-loss record but I thought it was a great challenge.”

Carr had prepared for a blockbuster 12-round title bout against Akrong and adding to the challenge of taking on an Australian champion was the fact Edney had to lose three kilograms for the fight, something he was able to do from Thursday morning to Friday night.

He stepped into the ring as the clear underdog but he showed the skill and experience that he has gained over a long career to match it with Carr.

“I am training all the time but there is a big difference between just everyday training and the sort you do to get ready for a fight,” Edney told The Standard.

“Jake had been training for a 12-round war and I had done no skipping, running or serious sparring so I was worried about running out of gas in a hurry.”

The bout was set down for six rounds and Carr was favoured to stop Edney in his tracks before the scheduled end of the fight.

But Edney went the distance and made the Australian champion fight hard for his points win.

“I was really pleased with how it went. Along the way I was able to worry him a little bit,” Edney said.

“I got some good feedback after the fight so I am glad I had a go even without the proper preparation.”