Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai clash for the WBC Interim World flyweight title on November 30
Former world champion Sunny Edwards (21-1, 4KO) and world-ranked Galal Yafai (8-0, 6KO) clash for the WBC Interim World flyweight title on November 30 in Birmingham, live on DAZN.
Sunny and Galal are ranked #3 and #4 with the WBC, respectively, so the Brits are very evenly-matched on paper and their fight has been years in the making.
Edwards produced a sublime display to inflict a first defeat on Moruti Mthalane in 13 years to become IBF Flyweight World Champion behind closed doors at London’s York Hall back in May 2021. The gifted 28-year-old, who holds a win over Yafai in the amateurs, went on to make four successful defences of his World Title before suffering the first loss of his career in a blockbuster unification clash with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona last December. Showtime Sunny returned to winning ways against Adrian Curiel last time out in June and returns to fight in the UK for the first time since June 2023, aiming to close out the year in style.
Birmingham’s Yafai picked up the WBC International Flyweight crown on his pro debut at The O2 in London before making defences at the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York, the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and The O2 once more in April 2023. The 31-year-old demolished Tommy Frank inside two minutes to preserve his unbeaten record in front of his hometown fans in Birmingham in August 2023, before closing out the year with a points win over Rocco Santomauro in Arizona. His last win came against Agustin Gauto at Fontainebleau Las Vegas earlier in April and now he steps up against the vastly more experienced rival Edwards for the biggest test of his pro career to date.
So now that the wait is finally over, who wins and why? BBN’s panel of experts gave their view:
Wayne Alexander Former British & European Champion: “This is a good, evenly-matched fight between two technically skilful British fighters that, I believe, will come down to experience.
“Sunny Edwards has reached the peak level of the sport and I believe that he is still young and hungry enough to win this one on points. But don’t be surprised if it goes the other way by a close margin either.”
Arijan Goricki IBO Title Contender: “My prediction is Sunny Edwards via UD win. Edwards is the more experienced boxer and that will be a big factor in this fight.”
Rohit Lohan Essentially Sports: “He backs his power with volume punching and a high work rate that keeps his opponents on their toes, and does it by targeting his opponent’s body. You throw into the mix his height and reach advantage over Sunny Edwards, and you can see him running away with a win.
“But it’s not that simple. Galal Yafai largely remains untested at the highest level, and Edward’s resume outweighs him. The latter has faced better fighters and had a long stay at the top. If you factor in how Edwards bagged the win in their last encounter, he may also have the psychological advantage.
“Therefore, Edwards could clinch the interim title, but if Yafai ends up overwhelming him, like Rodriguez, he could avenge his amateur loss and be next in line to face Kenshiro Teraji.”
Tim Rickson BBN Editor: “I think these two flyweights are very closely-matched and that will show during their contest. However, with the extra experience at world level and also his awkwardness, I’m picking Sunny Edwards to win on points in what I expect to be a nip and tuck, back and forth contest.
“Having shared the ring with ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, he’s already fought the best flyweight in the world, so I think he will be able to cope with whatever Yafai brings and be the one to display the ring generalship and clean punches to score the rounds.”
Oddspedia provides Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai betting odds from 11 betting sites on 3 markets. Currently, bookmakers place Sunny Edwards as favourite to win at @ 1.66.
Edwards: “This fight has always been inevitable. Our last names hold weight in British boxing and around the world – and it’s really time to put to bed the Edwards-Yafai Saga. Being overlooked for the Olympic Games because of family relationships and city ties – lit a fire all those years back. I beat Galal and was shelved in the same year back in 2015 and now this is my chance to show Britain who the real golden boy is.”
Yafai: “I’m happy that the fight has been made. This is going to be a massive fight for British boxing. I need to win a World Title, and this is a fight that will put me on the cusp of fighting for one when I win in my hometown on November 30.”
