In a sensational clash of British flyweights, Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai proved he was more than ready for the challenge posed by former world champion Sunny Edwards. The 31-year-old from Birmingham stormed to a dominant sixth-round technical knockout victory, capturing the WBC interim flyweight title in just his ninth professional fight.
A Rivalry Settled in Stunning Fashion
Saturday’s bout at Birmingham’s BP Pulse LIVE arena represented the culmination of a rivalry that traces back nearly a decade. Yafai and Edwards had faced off as amateurs, with Edwards emerging victorious. But this time, in front of Yafai’s raucous hometown fans, the script was flipped in dramatic fashion.
From the opening bell, Yafai was the aggressor, bullying Edwards around the ring with a relentless onslaught of hooks. The defending champion, known for his slick technical style, was visibly overwhelmed by the non-stop pressure.
“I was worried going into camp because of how good Sunny is and I trained my a— off,” Yafai admitted after the fight. “Beating Sunny tonight was a better feeling than standing on the podium [after winning Olympic gold].”
Yafai’s Golden Future
The emphatic win propels Yafai into rarified air. In addition to claiming the WBC interim belt, he now becomes the mandatory challenger for Japan’s Kenshiro Teraji, the full WBC flyweight titleholder. A showdown between the two appears inevitable, with Yafai’s stock skyrocketing after his career-best performance.
The Birmingham native’s meteoric rise is all the more impressive considering his limited professional experience. Saturday’s contest was just his ninth pro bout, but Yafai looked every bit the part of a seasoned world champion. His amateur pedigree, which includes a gold medal run at the Tokyo Olympics, has clearly translated seamlessly into the paid ranks.
The End of the Line for Edwards
For Sunny Edwards, the crushing defeat signals the end of a brief but successful career. The 28-year-old, who captured the IBF flyweight crown in 2021 and made four successful defenses, announced his retirement in the wake of the loss to Yafai.
“Win, lose or draw I was retiring tonight, I don’t have the same energy for the sport,” a dejected Edwards revealed post-fight. “I put so much energy into my first six or seven years. I need a break.”
Edwards had previously tasted defeat just once, suffering a ninth-round stoppage against American Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez last year in a title unification tilt. That setback, coupled with Saturday’s one-sided beating, appeared to sap him of his competitive fire.
The Flyweight Division Marches On
With Edwards stepping away and Yafai now entrenched as one of the division’s elite, the 112-pound ranks are primed for a fascinating next chapter. A unification showdown between Yafai and Teraji would crown a new lineal champion in the weight class while offering a chance for the Englishman to solidify his standing as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Other intriguing matchups loom on the horizon as well. Mexican phenom Julio Cesar Martinez, the reigning WBC flyweight champion, appears poised for a stateside breakout. And with a loaded crop of contenders that includes the likes of Artem Dalakian, Junto Nakatani, and McWilliams Arroyo, the future of the division looks as promising as it has in years.
But for now, the night belongs to Galal Yafai. With a star-making performance and a career-defining win, the Birmingham fighter has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. As he basked in the adulation of his hometown fans on Saturday night, one thing was abundantly clear: the Yafai era has officially arrived.
