Lord of the flys Galal and Sunny to meet
What a cracker! Poster for the upcoming super fight
PREPARE for the big one.
Birmingham’s Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai will face former world champ Sunny Edwards in his home city.
The flyweight firecracker takes place at BP Pulse LIVE on Saturday, November 30, and will be screened by boxing streaming service DAZN.
The British rivals have been on a collision course since former Team GB star Yafai joined the professional ranks in February, 2022, after fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming Olympic Champion by outpointing the Philippines’ Carlo Paalam for gold in Japan.
Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs) produced a sublime display to inflict a first defeat on Moruti Mthalane in 13 years and 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 unification clash with Jesse Rodriguez at the Desert Diamond Arena, Arizona, last December.
Edwards returned to winning ways against Adrian Curiel in June and returns to fight in the UK for the first time since June, 2023, in what promises to be a British blockbuster.
Birmingham’s Yafai (7-0, 5 KOs) picked up the WBC International flyweight crown on his professional debut at The O2, London, before making defences at Madison Square Garden, the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and The O2 once more.
The 31-year-old demolished Tommy Frank inside two minutes to preserve his unbeaten record in front of his hometown fans at the Utilita Arena, 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 this year.
"This fight has always been inevitable," said Edwards. "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."
“I’m happy that the fight has been made,” said Yafai. “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.”
“This is a huge fight for British boxing,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m delighted to get this one over the line as it’s the right fight for both men. In my opinion these are the best two flyweights in the world, and they will clash for a shot at the world title in front of a huge crowd in Birmingham.”