IF you didn’t realize it already Saturday night time proved that Galal Yafai is way past British title stage.
It took simply 80 seconds for the 30-year-old to overwhelm and cease former flyweight Lonsdale Belt holder Tommy Frank in Birmingham. Yafai confirmed a unique facet to him going for the jugular instantly and scored a knockdown within the opening 30 seconds. Frank may do nothing with lefts and rights winging his manner leaving little time to reply. There was a spitefulness from the 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist which can serve him properly when he faces far higher challenges.
There’s now a have to see the extent of competitors stepped up. The mixed document of his opponents reads received 89, misplaced 24, drawn 5. Numbers you’ll count on given Yafai’s newbie pedigree.
With the extent of flyweight competitors in Britain and Europe skinny on the bottom Yafai should look additional afield. Globally the 112lbs division has sufficient to check Yafai as does super-flyweight (115lbs) ought to his workforce really feel the necessity to discover increased up for matchmaking functions.
The query is then who ought to Galal Yafai face subsequent? Boxing Information presents three worthwhile choices.
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai 52-6-1 (44)
Yafai is crammed with potential that will see him develop into a world champion however alongside the best way there shall be a litmus check to be handed. That would come within the form of Rungvisai. The 36-year-old Thai is as powerful as they arrive but additionally rather more than that. Between March 2017 and February 2018 Rungvisai banked two wins towards Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, which included a shocking knockout win within the rematch, and triumphed over Juan Francisco Estrada. Jesse Rodriguez’ win over Rungvisai 14 months in the past could have signalled the start of the top for the veteran however he may nonetheless have sufficient left to hassle Yafai.
Carlos Cuadras 41-5-1 (28)
The Mexican carries an look that belongs within the 70s or 80s however has greater than performed his half in a superb fashionable period at super-flyweight having confronted Chocolatito, Estrada and Rungvisai. Quickly to be 35 years previous he could also be, similar to Rungvisai, on the house straight of his profession however would symbolize an enormous step up for Yafai. If the Brit is to be pushed alongside faster than most others, then somebody like Cuadras would symbolize the proper likelihood to show his credentials. Cuadras’ willingness to commerce, a passion for an uppercut and the power to go from again foot boxing to combos on the entrance foot would gel with the on-rushing Yafai.
Felix Alvarado 39-3 (34)
In the future Sunny Edwards vs Galal Yafai could occur. Whereas Edwards has a date with Jesse Rodriguez to consider Yafai may lay down slightly marker by combating the Nicaraguan and intention to do a greater job than his fellow Brit. Edwards ran out a cushty winner on factors when he confronted Alvarado 9 months in the past, however the battle wasn’t fully one-sided. Alvarado had his moments and each he and Yafai wouldn’t need to go on the lookout for each other. A powerful win inside the gap for Yafai vegetation a mini-seed in a rivalry with Edwards that might develop in 2024.