THIS COULD BE be the reunion you didn’t know you needed! Jake ‘The Snake’ Edwards and former Welsh World boxing champion Lee Selby were put through their paces at the Wales Air Ambulance base, recently.
The dynamic duo, who went head-to-head in the ring in October, visited Cardiff Heliport to meet with clinicians and pilots after fundraising for the lifesaving charity.
They sat in the helicopter, where clinicians make lifesaving decisions, and learnt about the consultant-led service, which takes hospital-standard treatments to the patient.
Jake, who has Down’s syndrome and diabetes said: “It’s incredible being here and meeting everyone after fundraising for the charity.”
He challenged his coach to a fight at South Wales Police’s Charity Match a few months ago, but when Lee Selby found out, he decided to come out of retirement to take on the 21-year-old.
It was a massive surprise for Jake, who did not know until fight night when he got in the ring. He said: “It was such a shock but I feel so proud of myself that I did it. I hope it shows others that you can do anything if you want to.
“We are going to have a rematch and I cannot wait to do it again!”
Lee, who stepped away from the ring in 2022, said: “Jake was a tough opponent for my first comeback fight, I have been retired for two years and had not trained once.
“I was on the floor about three or four times, ended up with a black eye, sore jaw, and it is another loss on the record.
“Since the last fight, I have been in the gym every day. So, Jake better be ready for me next November.”
Jake and Lee’s exhibition match has helped raise over £495 for the Wales Air Ambulance. The Charity needs to raise over £11.2 million each year to keep its helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The fighters are now on a mission to keep adding to that total after “being inspired” during a training session with a twist at the home of the air ambulance.
After getting a bird’s eye view from the cockpit of the helicopter, the pair had a sparring session on the tarmac. Jake even pulled on a medic’s backpack and threw out a few push-ups.
Jake said: “I just want to thank the air ambulance for what they do to help people, I am just so grateful. Today’s visit has been so good.”
Lee, who has never been in a helicopter before, added: “It is definitely an eye-opener! I got to speak with the medics and pilot, and learnt so much about what they do.
“They did not go into detail with some of the things they have seen but I can imagine it might take its toll on a normal person, seeing some of the stuff they do.
“It’s an amazing job that they are doing, saving lives, and I’m just really keen to be able to support them in any way I can.”
Jake and Lee are determined to keep fundraising for the Wales Air Ambulance and Diabetes UK. Plans are already underway for a big show with Lee and some of his boxing counterparts to help raise awareness.
In the meantime, Jake’s throwing down a new challenge and Lee is backing him for a win. Jake said: “I want to take on Tommy Fury! He is not a boxer; he is a cage fighter.”
Lee added: “He took me, so I am sure he can take Tommy, but he really should be concentrating on his rematch with me first before getting in the ring with anyone else.”
Jake and Lee fans will have to wait until next year for their rematch, which will take place at South Wales Police’s Charity Match in 2025.
Abi Pearce, Regional Fundraising Manager for South-East Wales said: “Jake is an incredible young man, helping put the spotlight on the Wales Air Ambulance and Diabetes UK.
“You can see how enthusiastic he is about boxing and the fact he is willing to get in the ring with a Welsh boxing legend like Lee Selby, all for charity, is just amazing!
“We are hugely grateful for Jake’s support and delighted that both he and Lee are going to continue fundraising for us.
“We really rely on events like this to help us deliver our lifesaving service. Without their help, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
