Birmingham’s Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai took his professional record to five without defeat in his first contest in his home town making a big statement. Thirty-year-old Yafai took on Tommy Frank as the main event on Matchrooms promotions Next Gen show which was being streamed live on Dazn from the Utilita Arena Birmingham. Yafai was defending his WBC International Flyweight title against Frank who had won the British, WBC International, IBO International Flyweight and the Commonwealth Super Flyweight title in the past. Frank (30) from Sheffield has won fifteen and drew one out of his nineteenth fights. Both fighters weighed in, seven stone thirteen with ‘A star’ ref John Latham refereeing.
Yafai came out fast and was looking to hurt Frank from the first bell, Yafai landed a lovely left hand dropping Frank. Frank got to his feet but was now in full survival mode as Yafai let his hands go with Frank’s corner throwing the towel in one minute forty-seven seconds into the first round.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Galal was in no mood to be messing around tonight and made a massive statement and putting the flyweight elite on notice that he is coming. He made light work of Franks who was a former British and Commonwealth champ so was a very worthy opponent. His promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that he thinks that Yafai is two fights away from fighting for a world title. I hope that Britain’s world champ Sunny Edwards comes through his world title unification fight against Jesse Rodriguez and that these two great fighters can get it on next year for the world championships. The future is looking bright for Galal Yafai and look forward to seeing fighting for a world title soon.