Edwards vs Yafai: Galal Yafai puts on masterclass to beat Sunny Edwards
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Galal Yafai has maintained an unblemished record, having triumphed in all nine of his professional fights.
BBC Sport reporter at BP Pulse Live in Birmingham.
Olympic champion Galal Yafai delivered an outstanding performance as he overcame his longtime opponent Sunny Edwards to claim the interim WBC flyweight title.
Yafai took control of the fight for six rounds before the referee intervened to stop the match at BP Pulse Live in Birmingham.
Edwards, the IBF flyweight champion from 2021 to 2023, declared his retirement after the match.
This win improves Yafai's perfect record to nine fights, seven of which he won by knockout or stoppage. It also positions him for a title match against WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji in 2025.
"It holds great significance for me," Yafai shared with DAZN.
I believe others often underestimate my abilities. I achieved something incredible by winning an Olympic gold medal. Tonight truly belonged to me.
Winning a gold medal at the Olympics was an incredible accomplishment for me, but defeating Sunny tonight felt even more rewarding than standing on that podium.
Edwards triumphed over Yafai during their amateur encounter in 2015, but he couldn’t replicate that level of intensity when they faced off in the Midlands.
The London-based fighter has ended his career with a record of 21 victories and 2 losses.
"Whether I won, lost, or tied, I was always heading towards the sunset," Edwards shared with BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Engaging in a battle with Galal was the last thing on my mind. However, I couldn't resist leaving some hints in my social media posts, referring to it as 'the final performance'."
"My body is breaking down; I have issues with my ankles, wrists, shoulders, and back. Everything seems to be aching. It’s been a tough journey, and the strain of my work has really taken its toll on my body."
Yafai Delivers On High Expectations
Sunny Edwards won against Galal Yafai by a split decision when they faced off as amateurs in 2015.
Yafai, who has been frequently mentioned as a potential world champion after winning a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics, didn’t pause to enjoy the applause from the large crowd of 5,000 fans in his hometown of Birmingham as he quickly made his way down the ramp and stepped into the ring.
Many have raised concerns about the caliber of his past opponents, and there was no denying that taking on Edwards represented a significant challenge. However, he radiated confidence right from the start and dominated his opponent throughout every second of each round.
Both fighters hyped up the match with talk of an exciting showdown, but only one truly lived up to the expectation. Yafai burst onto the scene right from the start.
Yafai, competing in Birmingham for the first time since August 2023, showcased a wide range of punches, skillfully targeting both the head and body while leaving Edwards with no room to maneuver in the ring.
During the breaks between rounds, Edwards was overheard expressing to his trainer, "I’d rather not be here."
He had a hard time getting into his groove, and when he finally connected with a solid right punch, Yafai paused, shook his head, and smiled.
Both fighters come from families with a strong fighting background. Edwards' brother Charlie has previously held the WBC flyweight title, while Yafai has two brothers, Kal and Gamal, who were champions in their own right—Kal as the WBA super-flyweight champion and Gamal as the European super-bantamweight champion.
There was a lot of friction among the siblings, as Charlie, Kal, and Gamal got into multiple public arguments, both during fight week and in the locker room just hours before the big event.
However, the bond between Sunny and Galal has consistently been grounded in mutual respect, as shown at the conclusion of the fifth round when they exchanged glove taps and shared a nod.
The fight came to a stop in the sixth round when Edwards found himself trapped against the ropes and couldn't respond as a series of punches struck his head.
"I had the best training camp possible, but I was concerned about what Sunny might do to me," Yafai shared with BBC Radio 5 Live.
No matter what direction Sunny chooses to take, he's been a role model for me for quite some time. I really admire him.
"Sunny is a person I've always aimed to surpass. I was confident in my abilities. He's also been a strong supporter."
"Boxing Has Taken Over My Life - Edwards"
Sunny and his brother Charlie have both been champions in the flyweight division.
As Saturday's fight approached, Edwards hinted that he wasn't feeling his best and even considered retirement. He acknowledged that "a loss can either make or break a fighter, but it often depends on their personal circumstances and where they are in life."
As Edwards entered the arena to take on Yafai, he was met with a chorus of boos from the unfriendly audience. However, when he announced his retirement in the ring, the atmosphere changed, and he garnered cheers and admiration from the crowd.
Edwards began boxing at the age of nine, inspired by his older brother Charlie to join the gym, and soon enough, the sport became a central part of his life.
Following his training in Sheffield with Team GB and a thriving amateur career, Edwards transitioned to the professional level in 2016.
The 28-year-old rose through the ranks with remarkable talent, making a name for the British flyweight division. He claimed the IBF title in 2021 by defeating Moruti Mthalane, bringing his undefeated record to 16 wins.
Following four successful title defenses, Edwards began to entertain the possibility of unifying his title. However, he faced a setback in December 2023 when he battled WBO champion Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez and fell short of his goal.
Edwards made a comeback by defeating Adrian Curiel in June, but he struggled to find his rhythm in the match against Yafai.
"I’m nearing two decades in my boxing career and have been a professional for around eight years, staying quite active throughout," Edwards stated.
When I step out of the ring, all I can think about is jumping back in. It has taken over my life, my joy, and my hard work.
"I've had to miss out on countless sports days and many of my children's important milestones to be a part of this."
"For the past four or five years, I haven't been able to complete a camp without dealing with injuries like a bad wrist, a sore hand, or a painful shoulder. This year, I had to skip two or three weeks of training because I was unable to walk."
