Sunny Edwards Wants To ‘Show Britain Who The Real Golden Boy Is’ Against Galal Yafai
Sunny Edwards says he’s ready to “put to bed” a long-running saga dating back to the amateurs when he faces British rival Galal Yafai in a flyweight bout in November.
Edwards (21-1-0 4 KO) and Yafai (7-0-0 5 KO) will meet at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England on November 30 in a fight that will likely lead the winner to immediate world title opportunities.
The 28-year-old Edwards became the IBF flyweight world champion in April 2021 by defeating Moruti Mthalane on points before making four successful title defenses. His reign was ended in a unification bout in December last year against pound-for-pound star Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Yafai, 31, is far less experienced as a professional but his career has been fast-tracked since winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He won the WBC’s international flyweight belt on his debut and has defended the strap six times.
Edwards and Yafai know each other well from their amateur days with Team GB, although Edwards has previously complained that he was overlooked for the Olympic team due to politics despite beating Yafai not long before the squad was chosen.
“This fight has always been inevitable,” said Edwards, whose older brother Charlie was also a flyweight world champion while Yafai’s older brother Kal was a super-flyweight champion. “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.”
Edwards is ranked in the top five in three of the four sanctioning bodies, but Yafai is not far behind and is in the top 10 in all four. It means the winner of their November bout will be expecting to challenge for a championship in 2025.
“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.”
Both boxers are represented by Matchroom Boxing, with the fight to be broadcast on DAZN, and promoter Eddie Hearn believes the bout has “all the makings of a brilliant fight”.
“This is a huge fight for British boxing,” said Hearn said. “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.
“Former IBF world champion Edwards will feel he’s the favorite heading into this one as he looks to recapture gold at 112 pounds. Olympic gold medal hero Yafai hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in the pro ranks, this is a massive step up for him but one that he will be confident of overcoming.
“It has all the makings of a brilliant fight, and I cannot wait of the BP Pulse Arena in Birmingham to be bouncing on November 30. Standby for announcements on a bumper undercard and we put on an unmissable night of action exclusively live worldwide on DAZN.”
