By Ryan Burton

In this Q&A, BoxingScene.com catches up with rising trainer Stephen "Breadman" Edwards whose stable of fighters includes super welterweight contender Julian "J-Rock" Williams (22-1-1). In this interview, Edwards reflects on the December stoppage loss against Jermall Williams and their upcoming bout against Joshua Conley (14-1-1)

BoxingScene.com: We just heard the news about Julian getting back in the ring. Before we get into that, let's go back to the last fight versus Jermall Charlo. After a good start the fight obviously didn't go your way. With the various delays and rumors that Jermall might vacate his title and move up in weight, do you think the long layoff played a factor in the fight? I also remember reading that you guys asking for VADA drug testing that didn't get implemented either. Now that about 6 months have passed, can you reflect back to the fight and the series of events in the lead up?

Stephen Edwards: The fight was supposed to be 90 days after Charlo fought (Austin) Trout which was May 21st. That is an IBF rule.

We started camp in July. Once the 90 days started approaching we read an article saying fight was going to be postponed because of an eye procedure. We had no idea what was going on.

Julian asked if he could take an interim fight because he didn't want to be laid off but it was too late. He also asked if they can do drug testing because he didn't feel comfortable with secret postponements and rumors started. He said something to me that stood out. Why does Charlo trust me so much. How come he's not asking me to test? He's the A side he can demand whatever he wants.

BoxingScene: So after hearing that what was your next move?

Stephen Edwards: I asked about both but the purse bids kept getting ordered. We knew we would make more money if we got a deal done on our own. Eventually the fight was made in October and set for December. The drug testing issue was never answered.

At that point I asked Julian if he still wanted to fight and he said yes. He wasn't going to let his opportunity go. I didn't keep bringing it up because I didn't want to run a negative camp. We did one commission urine test 2 hours before the fight. That was it.

BoxingScene: Wow, that doesn't seem like adequate testing and especially not for a title fight. Then after the fight, even after the animosity in the lead up, Julian tried to be a good sport and congratulate Jermall and we all saw what happened in the heat of the moment. Did that surprise you?

Stephen Edwards: I never understood why there was so much disrespect coming from Team Charlo because Julian shook his hand after the fight went to the press conference and congratulated him and never once mentioned that the fight was secretly postponed for months without us knowing. We asked for testing and never got it. He could've made every excuse in the world and he never made one. All we did as a team was give them props for a good fight.

BoxingScene.com: Well, next up is Joshua Conley on the Robert Easter-Denis Shafikov undercard at the end of the month. Conley isn't a well known fighter. Why did you decide on him as an opponent? Do you look at it like a tune up fight?

Stephen Edwards: We didn't want to be inactive so we took this Conley fight. He is a good fighter and has a good trainer. This is definitely not a tune up. Julian sat out 40 weeks waiting for a title shot as a mandatory. I don't want to make the excuse he was rusty because he wasn't. He was sharp. But you can't keep doing that and stay sharp. He was in camp too long and he became restless and uneasy. So we are just trying to stay active at this point until a bigger opportunity presents itself.

BoxingScene.com: Thanks again and we will catch up later in camp.

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