Special Preview: Edwards vs Yafai
Former world champion Sunny “Showtime” Edwards (21-1, 4KO) will face fellow Englishman and Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai (8-0, 6KO) for the interim WBC flyweight title in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card this Saturday, November 30, at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, live on DAZN.
Edwards, a 28-year-old Londoner, won a world title in the 112-pound weight class in April 2021, beating long-reigning South African champion Moruti Mthalane.
Edwards made four successful defences before losing a unification fight to pound-for-pound superstar Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, broken down and stopped in the ninth round in December 2023.
Edwards returned last June, scoring a technical decision victory over American Adrian Curiel, to improve his record to 21-1, with 4 knockouts. This will be his first fight back in the UK since June 2023.
Yafai is 31 years old and has a record of 8-0, with 6 knockouts. He triumphed at the 2020/2021 Olympics and then turned pro in 2022.
Most recently, Yafai outpointed Rocco Santomauro (22-2) last December, stopped Agustin Gauto (21-1) in eight rounds in April and then won a very active fight on September 28, dispatching Mexican Sergio Orozco Oliva (9-8) in three rounds.
Edwards-Yafai is organised by Matchroom Boxing and will be televised on DAZNSUNNY EDWARDS
WBC #3
Nationality: UK
Date of Birth: January 1, 1996
Birthplace: Sutton, Surrey, UK
Residence: Croydon, London
Age: 28
Alias: Showtime
Record: 21-1-0, 4KO
KO Ratio: 19.5%
Guard: Orthodox
Total rounds: 179
World Title fights: 6 (5-1)
Manager: Grant Smith
Promoter: Matchroom Boxing
GALAL YAFAI
WBC #4
Nationality: UK
Date of Birth: December 11, 1992
Birthplace: Birmingham, West Midlands
Residence: Birmingham, West Midlands
Age: 31
Alias:
Récord: 8-0-0, 6KO
KO Ratio: 75 %
Guard: Orthodox
Total rounds: 43
WBC Titles: International
Manager: Robert McCracken
Promoter: Matchroom Boxing
Betting Odds
39/40 Edwards
18/1 Draw
6/5 Yafai
Prediction
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.
“I definitely think that Sunny will be the one to get an early lead. Yafai could be strongest in the last third from 9-12, which is where Sunny will need to be disciplined and tough to get through the storm.”
More predictions…
WBC Top 10 Flyweights
- MIGUEL CANTO (MEXICO)
- PONGSAKLEK WONJONGKAM (THAILAND)
- CHARTCHAI CHIONOI (THAILAND)
- EFREN TORRES (MEXICO)
- YURI ARBACHAKOV (RUSSIA)
- ROMAN GONZALEZ (NICARAGUA)
- SOT CHITALADA (THAILAND)
- AKIRA YAEGASHI (JAPAN)
- BETULIO GONZALEZ (VENEZUELA)
- SHOJI OGUMA (JAPAN)
