Eddie Hearn’s claim that Galal Yafai stopped Sunny Edwards as he was coming to the end of this career was met with an instant rebuttal from his fighter.
There was an awkward moment at the press conference ahead of the WBC flyweight world title clash between Yafai and Francisco Rodriguez with the former immediately pulling Hearn up on his claim.
The last time he was in the ring, Yafai had a high profile fight against Edwards, who retired after his defeat at 28.
Hearn brought up their clash, saying: “We know that after it was a great win by you, but Sunny was coming towards the end of his career.”
Before he could continue, Yafai immediately voiced his disagreement at his promoter’s statement by asking: “Was he coming towards the end of his career?”
The flyweight reiterated that fighters often box, and peak, in their thirties: “He’s 28 years old, I’m 32. So what you would say, you put him towards the end of his career?
“In 28, I was in my prime. I won Olympic gold at 28. It’s normally 28 [you’re] at your prime.”
Yafai stopped Edwards in the sixth round to claim the WBC interim flyweight title. Yafai pinned Edwards to the ropes in the first minute of the fight and unleashed both hands, catching his opponent with a left cross, right hook combination.
Former IBF world champion Edwards subsequently announced his retirement after losing to his British rival in Birmingham.
In his professional career Yafai remains undefeated, with seven knockouts across his nine wins.
He described the challenges he has faced so far, saying: “I’ve had to fight Sunny [Edwards] who was number one with the Ring Magazine, then I have to fight the WBC number one Rodriguez and then I’ll have to go to Japan probably and fight the pound for pound fighter who’s got the WBC and WBA belts in [Kenshiro] Teraji.
“I’ve not had it easy, have I?”
Edwards visibly wilted while Yafai landed a series of shots in the sixth round before the referee called a halt after a minute and 10 secondsGETTYHaving moved within touching distance of a world title shot, until the referee stepped in to prevent any more punishment for Edwards in December.
Hearn highlighted how a victory on Saturday should secure a full shot at a world title for Yafai.
“Yeah, you know what, I don’t want to look too far ahead, Rodriguez is a tough fighter, I’ve got to get past him first,” Yafai responded.
The two fighters have stepped up to headline the event at the bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham.
On Saturday June 21, the Interim WBC flyweight world title clash between Yafai and Rodriguez will be streamed worldwide.
Yafai explained: “Rodriguez should be my hardest fight, on paper. Let’s hope it’s not in reality on Saturday.”
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