Edwards and Yafai Prepare for Interim WBC Flyweight Rematch Amidst Family Rivalry

The bout between Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai will be broadcast live from 22:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live, accessible via the BBC Sport website and app. Sunny Edwards stated that Saturday’s interim WBC flyweight match against Galal Yafai holds particular significance because of the ongoing rivalry between their respective families. The two boxers are scheduled to compete in Birmingham, and the victor will earn an opportunity to challenge WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji in 2025. This upcoming fight is a rematch nearly ten years in the making, stemming from their amateur encounter in 2015, which Edwards won via split-decision. Since then, Edwards has both claimed and relinquished the IBF flyweight title, whereas Yafai participated in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, securing a gold medal at the latter event. Both athletes originate from prominent boxing families; Edwards’ brother Charlie previously held the WBC flyweight belt, and Yafai’s brothers, Kal and Gamal, were WBA super-flyweight and European super-bantamweight champions, respectively. “I’m always representing the family name, but because there is another well-thought of, built-up and reputable name in the Yafai’s to go up against, of course it makes it bigger,” Edwards informed BBC Sport. Although there has been animosity between their brothers, with Charlie and Kal engaging in multiple public disagreements, Sunny and Galal have consistently maintained a respectful relationship. “It would be fake now to be hating each other, swearing at each other and going back and forth,” Yafai stated to BBC Sport. “We sparred a lot and every time we’ve seen each other it has been respectful.” “My brothers are probably a bit different, they might be a bit aggressive sometimes. You see Gamal and Charlie go back and forth now and again. I think I’m a bit too laid back for that.” Yafai secured Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 by defeating Carlo Paalam from the Philippines. Galal Yafai, a Birmingham native, aims to achieve his ninth consecutive victory when he faces Edwards at BP Pulse Live, thereby maintaining his undefeated record. This marks his first competition in his hometown since his first-round stoppage win against Tommy Frank in August 2023. “I love fighting in my home city, I love fighting in the UK,” Yafai commented. “It’s nice going to America and fighting in New York at Madison Square Garden and in Las Vegas, but nothing is better than fighting at home and it’s really home for this fight.” However, the 31-year-old’s life trajectory could have taken a significantly different path. Yafai, who was a passionate boxing enthusiast from childhood, only began formal training in his late teens and nearly abandoned the sport due to difficulties in managing his training alongside his employment. “I was working in the Land Rover factory at Solihull,” Yafai recounted. “I always dreamed about boxing for Great Britain at the Olympics and I went on to do that twice, it’s surreal now that I think about it.” “It was hard to juggle work and boxing and I was at a stage where I was just going to quit because it was getting too much, but thankfully I persevered and the rest is history.” Following his failure to secure a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Yafai earned a gold medal at the Covid-19-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, occurring merely four months after Edwards achieved world champion status. “There’s one thing I have over Sunny – I’m an Olympic champion, he can’t be that,” Yafai stated. “He’s been a world champion but I can be a world champion. I can be both but he can only be one.” Edwards’ professional record shows only one defeat in 22 contests. Edwards is not known as a knockout artist or a power-puncher, with only four of his 21 victories ending inside the distance; however, his distinctive and flamboyant fighting style has garnered him numerous fans. The 28-year-old rapidly progressed through the professional ranks, securing the IBF flyweight belt by defeating Moruti Mthalane, which extended his undefeated streak to 16 fights. Following four successful title defenses, Edwards experienced his first professional loss while attempting to unify titles against WBO champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in December 2023. Edwards has since recovered, defeating Adrian Curiel in June. “The level I lost at was a very high one,” Edwards commented. “A loss can make or break a fighter but I think it depends on where they are at in their life.” “All we are as fighters is trying to balance our life and career to get the best opportunity when we step into the ring. I’ve always been expecting this fight with Galal and I’m going to make the best of this opportunity.”