Galal Yafai and former world champion Sunny Edwards will lock horns this Saturday in a mouthwatering flyweight showdown at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England.
The pair have been on a collision course since Yafai made his professional debut in 2022, shortly after winning gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Before that, both Yafai and Edwards’ brothers, Kal and Charlie, were seemingly on the verge of squaring off in a compelling domestic dustup.
But now, given that the fiercely anticipated clash never took place, it is up to Galal and Sunny to finally set the record straight.
Galal Yafai looks to rip Sunny Edwards’ head off
After making four comprehensive defenses of his IBF world flyweight title, Edwards was forced to suffer his first defeat against pound-for-pound star Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
The pair went toe-to-toe in an engaging battle last year, but the explosiveness of Rodriguez ultimately proved too much for the Brit, who was eventually stopped in the ninth round.
Since then, the 28-year-old has returned to the win column with a dominant performance against Adrian Curiel, taking him closer to another shot at world honors.
Standing in his way, though, is the immensely talented Yafai, whose skilful counterpunching style on the front foot could even be likened to that of boxing legend Vasyl Lomachenko.
That said, the decorated amateur has equally demonstrated a ruthless approach to his craft – something that he insists will play a factor against his slick opponent, who he has previously shared rounds with in sparring.
“I think everyone can see, there’s not a massive grudge,” Yafai told BoxingScene. “There’s sporting rivalry, which I’m not gonna want to lose to Sunny Edwards, he’s not going to want to lose to Galal Yafai.
“But the respect’s there. But the respect goes out the window when the bell rings and I’ll be trying to rip his head off and he’ll be trying to box my head off. It should gel for a great fight, from the spars we had definitely.”
- Read More [“I can knock him out”… Sunny Edwards is ridiculously confident ahead of Galal Yafai fight]
Will the winner of Galal Yafai vs. Sunny Edwards face Kenshiro Teraji?
Of course, the upcoming clash between Yafai and Edwards should, above all else, deliver fireworks from the opening bell.
But with the two combatants contesting the WBC interim belt at 112 lbs, there is also a clear route towards a title shot for the winner.
WBC flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji is widely regarded as one of the most elite operators in the sport, avenging his only defeat against Masamichi Yabuki with a punishing third-round finish.
And so, with Teraji carrying dynamite in both fists, the winner of Saturday’s matchup will certainly have his hands full.