the loss against bayaar had also meant the loss of edwards' commonwealth title, which, despite not being on the line, had to be given up following the defeat to another commonwealth fighter. on 19 february 2010, he returned to stoke-on-trent to fight for the now-vacant belt, beating namibian abmerk shindjuu in 12 rounds, winning 115-114 on each of the judges' scorecards. edwards was victorious over francis croes in four rounds on 4 december 2010, and then regained the british title with a victory in a closely fought contest against paul edwards at the olympia in liverpool on 11 june 2011. edwards made a successful defence on 10 december 2011 over the man who had previously beaten him, shinny bayaar.