Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai Headline Exciting Night of Domestic Dustups

The stage is set for a thrilling showdown between two of British boxing’s brightest stars as former IBF World Champion Sunny Edwards and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Galal Yafai headline an action-packed night at BP Pulse LIVE in Birmingham on Saturday, November 30. The flyweight rivals will collide for the vacant WBC Interim Flyweight Championship in a bout that promises fireworks, with the winner likely to face the victor of the October 13 WBC Flyweight Championship fight between Kenshiro Teraji and Cristofer Rosales. The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

Both fighters have been on a collision course since Yafai turned professional in 2022, following his gold-medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where he outpointed the Philippines’ Carlo Paalam to fulfill his lifelong dream. Edwards and Yafai are no strangers to each other, having previously met in the amateurs, with Edwards holding a win over Yafai in 2015.

Sunny Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs) comes into the fight as one of the most skilled operators in the flyweight division. In May 2021, he produced a masterclass to dethrone long-reigning champion Moruti Mthalane, securing the IBF Flyweight World Championship in a behind-closed-doors fight at London’s York Hall. Edwards went on to make four successful title defenses, establishing himself as one of the top flyweights in the world.

However, his unblemished record was snapped in December 2023 when he lost a unification clash to Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in Arizona. Undeterred, Edwards bounced back with a decisive win over Adrian Curiel in June 2024, fighting on the undercard of Estrada vs. Rodriguez. Now, back on home soil for the first time in over a year, the 28-year-old is determined to close out 2024 with a major victory.

“This fight has always been inevitable,” Edwards said. “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. I beat Galal back in 2015, but this is my chance to show Britain who the real golden boy is.”

Galal Yafai (8-0, 6 KOs) has blazed through the professional ranks since making his debut in February 2022. The Birmingham native won the WBC International Flyweight Title in his debut fight at London’s O2 Arena and has since made successful defenses at renowned venues, including Madison Square Garden in New York and the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

In August 2023, Yafai delivered a stunning knockout performance, stopping Tommy Frank in under two minutes in front of his hometown crowd in Birmingham. He followed this up with a points win over Rocco Santomauro in Arizona and most recently defeated Sergio Orizco in Sheffield on September 28, a fight that Edwards attended to scout his future opponent.

Yafai is eager to prove himself against his more seasoned rival. “I’m happy that the fight has been made,” he said. “This is going to be a massive fight for British boxing. I need to win a World Title, and this fight will put me on the cusp of fighting for one when I win in my hometown on November 30.”

It’s a clash of styles and a clash of generations. Edwards’ slick boxing skills and defensive prowess will be put to the test against Yafai’s relentless pressure and power. Both men are fighting not only for the WBC Interim Flyweight Championship but also for the right to call themselves the top flyweight in Britain.

“This is a huge fight for British boxing,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “In my opinion, these are the best two flyweights in the world. Former IBF Champion Edwards will feel he’s the favorite, but Yafai, with his unbeaten record and Olympic pedigree, will be confident of passing the biggest test of his career.”

In addition to the highly anticipated main event, the undercard is brimming with exciting matchups:

• Cameron Vuong (6-0, 3 KOs) will take a big step up in competition as he faces experienced campaigner Gavin Gwynne (17-3-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout.
• A welterweight crossroads fight sees Conah Walker (13-3-1, 5 KOs) take on fan favorite Lewis Ritson (23-4, 13 KOs). Both fighters are looking to bounce back from recent losses and get their careers back on track.
• Undefeated prospects Hamza Uddin (2-0, 1 KO) and Aaron Bowen (3-0, 2 KOs) will also be in action in separate bouts against opponents to be announced.

Full Card:
Main Event: Sunny Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs) vs. Galal Yafai (8-0, 6 KOs), 12 rounds for the vacant WBC Interim Flyweight Championship

Cameron Vuong (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Gavin Gwynne (17-3-1, 5 KOs), 10 rounds, lightweight

Conah Walker (13-3-1, 5 KOs) vs. Lewis Ritson (23-4, 13 KOs), 10 rounds, welterweight

Hamza Uddin (2-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA, super flyweight

Aaron Bowen (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, middleweight

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