Galal Yafai believes that he’s banking the experience needed to rip the World titles from the champions, and that continues on Saturday when he defends his WBC International Flyweight title against Agustin Mauro Gauto at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, live worldwide on DAZN.

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Yafai (6-0 4 KOs) won the title he puts on the line in Sin City on his professional debut in February 2022 in London, six months after winning Olympic gold for Britain at the Tokyo games.

The Birmingham man has cruised to 6-0 in the paid ranks and successfully defended his International strap four times to date. Those wins have led the 31 year old to be handily positioned at #7 in the WBC rankings, the same spot he occupies with the WBO and IBF.

Jesse Rodriguez has vacated the world titles with the latter two organizations, piquing the interest of those contenders that are well placed in the rankings, and that means that Yafai has yet more incentive to perform to his best against Gauto (21-1 15 KOs) as he looks to perfectly time honing his ring craft for when his World title shot arrives.

“The pro game is different, longer rounds and the gloves are smaller, but it’s boxing to me,” said Yafai. “I’ve just got to get through them all and get to the top as quickly as I can because people aren’t patient, and I’m a bit impatient too.

“Rankings don’t really matter to me in the long run. No-one is going to say to me ‘Galal, you were ranked top five in the WBC’ when I finish my career. It’s either I am going to be a World champion or I’m not, that’s the main thing to me. It’s nice to be ranked high though and people want me to fight the top guys.

“I’ve had five fights, and I could jump in now with the top boys, but I don’t want to do that and not have the experience. People will say ‘he should be fighting him, him and this guy’, but people say anything, I just have to do what I am doing and get to the top and beat them.

“I need experience. On my day I can beat the top boys, but I want to give myself the best chance, I don’t want to go in there and fight them too soon and just be too short. But saying that, I’m still good enough to beat them.”

Yafai’s clash with Gauto is part of a huge night of action, led by a double-header featuring two of America’s best young talents as Richardson Hitchins takes on Gustavo Lemos in a final eliminator for the IBF World Jr. Welterweight title and Diego Pacheco defends his USWBC and WBO International Super-Middleweight titles against Shawn McCalman

Skye Nicolson provides the World title action on the card, looking to claim a World crown at the first attempt as she meets Sarah Mahfoud for the vacant WBC Featherweight strap, Marc Castro gets a first title bout in his 12th pro outing, taking on Abraham Montoya for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title, Harley Mederos is in action for the sixth time in the paid ranks over six rounds against Pedro Vicente and there’s a pro debut for former Team USA talent Steven Navarro over six rounds at Super-Flyweight against Jose Lopez.

Skye Nicolson will face Sarah Mahfoud for the vacant WBC World Featherweight title at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Saturday April 6, live worldwide on DAZN.

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Nicolson (9-0 1 KO) lands her first World title shot in Sin City, just over two years since making her professional debut in San Diego. The Australian has raced to #1 in the WBC rankings at 126lbs, and landed her first KO win in her last outing, stopping Lucy Wildheart in Dublin in November in the first defense of the interim title the 28 year old won in Mexico in September against Sabrina Perez.

Mahfoud (14-1 3 KOs) is looking to spoil the party and in turn become a two-time ruler at Featherweight. The Dane held the IBF title after being elevated from interim champion, and successfully defended it against Nina Meinke in April 2022, before losing to Amanda Serrano in Manchester, England in September 2022. The 34 year old is on a three-fight winning streak on home turf since that loss, picking up the WBC Silver title in March 2023 and successfully defending it in October, with an eight-round win in between.

“This means everything to me,” said Nicolson. “To fight for my first World title in the iconic boxing city of Las Vegas is truly special. It will be a proud moment for my family and my team – and on April 6, my lifelong dream of becoming a World Champion will finally become a reality. 

“Ever since the first time I put on a pair of boxing gloves, I’ve worked tirelessly towards this moment. Capturing the prestigious green and gold WBC belt will be the first major step towards becoming the Undisputed champion. And the new!”

“It is a dream of mine to become a two-time World champion,” said Mahfoud. “And it is also a dream of mine to box in Las Vegas on the biggest stage. Skye Nicolson is a good fighter, but she’s not proven at world-level like me. I will teach her a lesson and show her the levels on April 6.”

Two more fights added to the card are led by Briton’s Olympic gold medal man Galal Yafai defending his WBC International Flyweight title against Agustin Mauro.

Yafai (6-0 4 KOs) is hunting the World champions at the weight, and the 2020 games king is sitting pretty in the rankings, most pertinently at #6 with the WBC as he defends the belt he won on debut in February 2022 for the fifth time in Las Vegas. The 31 year old will be looking to put the belt holders on notice on April 6, but that’s exactly what Mauro (21-1 15 KOs) is looking to do too. The Argentine has won three of his last four fights inside the distance, and the 26 year old is planning to derail Yafai’s journey to a World title.

“It’s great to be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time in my career, which is something all Brits dream of,” said Yafai. “I know that Agustin is confident and that’s perfect for me, I want someone that believes they can win, as that will bring the best out of me.

“I like my positioning in the rankings, and I really think that 2024 is the year that I can get my shot at a World title.”

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Mauro. “I’m going to destroy Galal Yafai. This is my time. I’d like to thank Matchroom Boxing for giving me such a huge opportunity for my career. I’ve been working extremely hard alongside my trainer, Rodrigo Calabrese, to get a great victory in the United States.

“We’ve been studying Galal. He is a great boxer, but I have what it takes to win the WBC International title on April 6. This will be my first time in Las Vegas. I always dreamed about fighting in this great city and I’m not going to waste my opportunity.

“I want to make history for Argentinean boxing, and this is a great opportunity to do just that. The fight comes at a great time in my career. I’ve had 22 professional fights. The last one was in Argentina in January, and I again displayed my knockout power. This is what I want to show in Las Vegas. On April 6, the boxing world will know who ‘Avión’ Gauto is.”

The third fight added to the bill sees Marc Castro fight over ten rounds for the second time, as he meets Abraham Montoya at Super-Featherweight. Castro (11-0 8 KOs) boxed over the ten round distance for the first time in November in Los Angeles, but only needed seven of them to record an eighth win inside the distance. Montoya (22-5-1 14 KOs) is a vastly experienced operator, with 99 more rounds in the bank than his young foe, and the 29 year old Mexican will provide the toughest test to date for the Fresno talent.

Nicolson, Yafai and Castro are part of a big night of action in Las Vegas, topped by a double-header featuring two of Matchroom’s brightest stars. Richardson Hitchins (17-0 7 KOs) tops the bill as he takes on Gustavo Lemos (29-0 19 KOs) in a final elimination for the IBF World Super-Lightweight title, while Diego Pacheco (20-0 17 KOs) continues his assault on the Super-Middleweight division as he defends his WBC USA and WBO International titles against Shawn McCalman (15-0 7 KOs).

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Sunny Edwards owned the news conferences.

Jesse Rodriguez owned the ring.

Rodriguez turned that ring into his own bully pulpit, punishing Edwards and then dropping him with a left hand that landed like his nickname, Bam, in the final moments of the ninth round Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena.

In the final second of the ninth, Rodriguez got the last word after a long week full of unfounded accusations. He called Rodriguez a drug cheat. He called him weird.

In the end, he could only call him champ. Edwards, whose corner threw in the towel at 2:59 of the ninth, lost for the first time and lost his International Boxing Federation flyweight title.

Rodriguez (19-0, 15 KOs) added the belt to his collection, including the World Boxing Organization’s version of the 112-pound crown.

At the moment that Edwards’ corner tossed in the towel, Rodriguez fell to his knees and onto his chest. He looked relieved. 

Maybe, that’s because he won’t have to listen anymore to Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs), a little guy with heavyweight Tyson Fury’s big mouth.

The two, Sunny and Bam, embraced in the middle of the ring after it was all over. Sunny promised he’d be back. Bam promised that he was moving back up the scale, in pursuit of the super-fly title he vacated.

It was no coincidence that super-fly (115 pounds) champ Juan Francisco Estrada was in the crowd. It was also no coincidence that Hall of Fame junior flyweight Michel Carbajal was there, too.

Rodriguez showed why he is perhaps the best American in boxing’s lightest weights since Carbajal’s era through the 1990s.

Rodriguez kept his poise early and then slowly began to control the pace and the ring.

A key round was the fifth. That’s when Rodriguez grabbed the momentum At the end of the round, he rocked Edwards onto his heels with a big overhand punch. It was asign of things to come.

In the sixth, Bam opened up a cut under Sunny’s left eye. He drove him into the ropes. Then, he raised both hands over his head, as if to mock Sunny.

The mocking continued. Seconds later, the fighters drifted back toward the center the ring. That’s when Bam stuck his tongue out at Edwards. Edwards, suddenly no longer so Sunny, seemed to respond in anger. He went straight at Rodriguez, a bullish assault from a fighter known for working off his back foot.

It was as if he had forgotten who he was and how he fought.Rodriguez made him forget, mostly because the San Antonio fighter always remembered how to apply the fundamentals that are transforming him into a pound-for-pound contender. 

Murodjon Akhmadaliev restores confidence with solid TKO

Murodjon Akhmadaliev knocked out the doubt.

Knocked out Kevin Gonzalez too.

Akhmadaliev came off an emotionally crushing loss, scoring an eighth-round stoppage  in a junior-featherweight fight that restored his confidence and, he hopes, puts him back in line for a shot at pound-for-pound contender Naoya Inoue.

Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs)lost a debatable split decision to Marlon Tapales in April. Tapales used that victory to secure a date against Inoue on Dec. 26 in Japan. For weeks, Akhmadaliev wondered: It could have been me.

Saturday night, he quit agonizing and resumed fighting, knocking down the rugged Gonzalez (20-1-1, 13 KOs) four times — twice in the sixth round and twice in the eight —  for a solid TKO victory at 2:49 of the eighth in the final fight before the Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez main event at Desert Diamond Arena.

“It’s been a long road back,” the Uzbekistani said. “I had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder.”

The chip is gone. A bright future is back.

Galal Yafai wins unanimous decision

-He has an Olympic gold medal, an unbeaten record and a lot of work still to do.

Galal Yafai (6-0, 4 KOs), the 2020 Olympic flyweight champion from the UK. Yafai scored a business-like decision over Rocco Santomauro (22-3, 6 KOs) Saturday night on the DAZN portion of the Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez card at Desert Diamond Arena.

Yafai was never in danger of losing. The 99-91, 98-93, 97-93 scorecards, all in his favor, reflect that. He left Santomauro, a Califorina flyweight,  badly bloodied over one eye. But he didn’t do much to convince anyone in the crowd that he’ll be a major flyweight title anytime soon. 

They applauded the victory, then booed him for a dull performance.

Boom, DAZN lives-stream opens with a huge KO

One punch from Ja’Rico O’Quinn kicked DAZN’s live-stream into high-gear.

It happened suddenly.

It landed like an unseen bolt.

Peter McGrail was down, unconscious seemingly before he knew what hit him.

O’Quinn, of Detroit, was losing on the scorecards through the first four rounds Saturday on the first DAZN-streamed fight on a card featuring Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez. McGrail controlled the pace and the punches. 

Then — boom, O’Quinn (8-1, 5 KOs) threw a counter-right that landed like a missile onto the side of McGrail’s face, sending the Brit  (17-1-1, 9 KOs) crashing to the canvas and under the lowest rope late in the fifth round. 

HIs cornermen, ringside physician, and paramedics rushed to help. For a few  scary moments, he simply laid on his  back. Then he was helped, first onto a stool and then to his feet..

“I knew they wouldn’t give me a decision,” O’Quinn said. “He was boxing well. But I seen him try to throw a right to the body. That’s when I countered and — boom — that’s all she wrote

Boom, indeed.

Prospect Arturo Cardenas wins 4th-round TKO

Arturo Cardenas, a Robert Garcia-trained super-bantamweight from Mexico, continued to combine power, precision and poise in his journey from prospect to contender Saturday in a thorough beat down of Carlos Mujica, a Las Vegas fighter who never had much of a chance.

From head-to-body, Cardenas (2-0-1, 8 KOs) landed punches from all angles, leaving Mujica (8-4, 2 KOs) defenseless and finally beaten, a TKO loser at 1:24 of the fourth round in the fourth fight on the Sunny Edward-Bam Rodriguez card. at Desert

 Diamond Arena  

Bostan wins, fans boo in hostile brawl

They exchanged profanities. Then, their respective camps brawled.

Turns out, the hostility at a news conference was real.

Junaid Bostan and Gordie Russ II don’t like each other.

Proof was delivered in a messy, junior-middleweight fight Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena on the Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez undercard. They fought, they brawled, Russ (6-1, 6 KOs) hurt Bostan (8-0, 6 KOs) in the third, Bostan recovered and furt Russ in the seventh and again in the eighth.

Bostan, of the UK, won. The eight-round decision was probably closer than the three scorecards, 79-73. But Bostan’s unanimous decision didn;t settle anything. He stretched out a gloved hand, an offer of congratulations with a fist bump. But Ross, of Detroit, turned his back and walked out of the ring.

He might have been angry at the scoring. Some in the small crowd. They booed, and Bostan encouraged them too while standing at ringside for an interview.

“Go ahead, boo, go ahead,” he said, looking at the unhappy customers.

By then Russ was long gone. 

Albert Gonzalez chops down Molina

That’s exactly what California featherweight Albert Gonzalez (7-0, 3 KOs) did, chopping down Mexican Albert Molina (9-3-1, 5 KOs), who collapsed onto the canvas in evident pain after sustaining a lethally precise body shot late in the second round of the second fight Saturday on a card featuring Jesse Rodriguez-Sunny Edwards at Desert Diamond Arena.

Molina, who rolled around the canvas for several seconds after the punishing shot from the Robert Garcia-trained Gonzalez, got up. But he was finished, a TKO loser at 2:24 of the second.

First Bell: Joe McGrail scores second-round TKO

A card stacked with UK fighters began with a British accent.

Joe McGrail, a featherweight from Liverpool, wasted little time, quickly flashing all of the reasons he’s a prospect with a second round TKO of Carlos Ortiz Jr. Saturday in the opener to a card featuring flyweights Jesse Bam Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards at Desert Diamond Arena.

McGrail (8-0, 4 KOs) dropped the overmatched Ortiz (8-5-2, 4 KOs), of Phoenix, twice in the first round and twice in the second, finishing him with a left hook at 2:40 of the second. 

Murodjon Akhmadaliev will face Kevin Gonzalez in an eliminator for the WBA World Super-Bantamweight title as the chief support bout to the Flyweight unification blockbuster between Jesse Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday December 16, live worldwide on DAZN – with Edwards being joined by four fellow British talents on the card.   Akhmadaliev (11-1 8 KOs) is gunning to get a shot at winning the WBA title back after the former unified king surrendered the crown along with the IBF strap via a majority decision loss against Marlon Tapales in San Antonio in April. The Uzbek star ripped the belts from Daniel Roman in February 2020 in Miami and successfully defended them three times before the reversal against Tapales, and now the 29 year old will be looking to take a massive step towards gaining one of his old titles back early in 2024 with victory.   Gonzalez (26-0-1 13 KOs) will have other ideas though and can catapult himself into the big leagues by handing Akhmadaliev back-to-back defeats. The Mexican, who sits at #2 in the WBA rankings behind the Uzbek, was last in action in March where he defeated Jose Sanmartin in Las Vegas. The unbeaten 25 year old tastes action in the States for the third straight fight having beaten Emanuel Rivera Nieves in California in May 2022, and fights over 12 rounds for the first time in the biggest fight of his career to date.   “I am excited to return to the ring,” said Akhmadaliev. “No matter what happened in the last fight, my goal is to fight for justice and to return what is mine.”   “I feel very happy and optimistic with the opportunity that has been given to me,” said Gonzalez. “I will have a very difficult fight, probably the toughest fight of my life. Akhmadaliev is a former unified World champion, who not only has had a very successful professional career, but has a great amateur record as well. While I believe he is a very tough fighter, I also believe boxing is a sport of timing and moments, and this is my moment.    “I will make the most out of this moment so everyone can see that Mexico has a great product. I don’t see myself losing. Failure is not an option. This will be a very tough fight and I am preparing accordingly, both physically and mentally. This fight will be a crowd-pleasing fight. I’m prepared to go through hell and I am ready for a war. I want to thank Matchroom, my promoter Juan Iván Orengo and Fresh Productions for always looking after me and getting me the best fights, and my manager Jacob Najar for always having my back.    “Since day one my manager always told me that someday I would fight for a World title and that time is approaching. He also told me that I would fight in big stages. Now, I have the opportunity to fight in a card promoted by the biggest promoter in the world. I will make the best of my chance under the lights and the cameras. It is my moment and, come December 16, the world will know who Kevin “El Chacal” González is: a full Gallo from Mexico.”   The main event stars unbeaten British World ruler Edwards, and four more Brits cross the pond to end their 2023 in the US. Galal Yafai will be hoping to get his job done and take his seat for the main event, and it is a second outing in America as he defends his WBC International Flyweight title against Rocco Santomauro. Yafai (5-0 4 KOs) won the title on debut in London in February 2022 and traveled to New York to make his first defense two months later. Last time out, Yafai destroyed Tommy Frank in a hometown Birmingham in August, and the Olympic gold medal man will look to close 2023 out in style against the experienced Californian Santomauro (22-2 6 KOs).   “I am looking forward to fighting on a great card in Arizona,” said Yafai. “The main event is one that I will be watching closely being in the same division as me – but I have work to do first, and all the focus is on doing a job on Santomauro.”   “I am grateful for this opportunity against a strong opponent like Yafai,” said Santomauro. “I am ready to show the world why I belong on the main stage.”   Peter McGrail fights in the States for the first time in the paid ranks, and fights for his first pro title as he takes on Ja’Rico O’Quinn for the WBA Continental Super-Bantamweight belt. McGrail (8-0 5 KOs) bagged a second wide points win of 2023 in his last action on his home patch in Liverpool last month, and now the 27 year old can cap his year by adding his first pro honors to his wealth of amateur titles with victory over Detroit’s O’Quinn (16-1-1 8 KOs).   “I am really buzzing for this one,” said McGrail. “I think the US fans are going to love my style of fighting. I can’t wait to get over there and show them what I’m about. Thank you to my team for keeping me active, I am ready to close the year in style and keep improving and impressing.”   “I told Eddie Hearn last summer when we were in Detroit that I want to fight for Matchroom,” said O’Quinn. “I’m about to give McGrail an American boxing lesson. He’s going to get schooled by the Great Lakes king.”   It’s a family affair for McGrail as he kicks off the main card on DAZN, after the Before the Bell action will be launched by his younger brother Joe McGrail (7-0 3 KOs), who fights for the eighth time in the pros against Brandon Rosales Marquez (6-5-2) over six rounds at Featherweight. The fifth Brit to step through the ropes on the night will be rising star Junaid Boston (7-0 6 KOs), with the Rotherham talent tackling unbeaten Detroit man Gordie Russ II (6-0 6 KOs) over eight rounds at Super-Welterweight.   Completing the line-up in Arizona and also starring in the Before the Bell portion of the card are Californian Arturo Popoca (11-0-1 7 KOs) who faces Carlos Mujica (8-3 3 KOs) over eight rounds at Super-Bantamweight and Albert Gonzalez (5-0 2 KOs) who takes on Robenilson Vieira de Jesus (5-1 1 KO) over six rounds at Featherweight.

2020 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai continued his dominant run as a professional as he stopped Tommy Frank in the opening round of their 10-round flyweight bout in Birmingham. England.

In round one, Yafai dropped Frank with a right hook. Yafai was all over Frank until the corner of Frank threw in the towel at 1:40.

Yafai, 111.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 5-0 with four knockouts. Frank, 111.9 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 15-4-1.

Conan Walker stopped Cyrus Pattinson at the end of round seven of their 10-round welterweight bout.

Walker dropped Pattinson rounds three and five. Pattinson sent Walker to the deck in round six. The fight was stopped after round seven after Walker continued to land hard shots on Pattinson.

Solomon Dacres won a 10-round unanimous decision over Chris Thompson in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres of Birmingham, England won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92.

Khaleel Majid won an eight-round decision over Alessandro Fersula in a super lightweight bout.

At the end of round one, Majid dropped Fersula with a hard left hook.

Majid of Bolton, ENG won by a 78-73 score.

In a rematch, Jordan Flynn and Kane Bake fought to a 10-round draw in a super featherweight contest.

In round two, Flynn dropped Baker with an overhand right.

The fight was scored 94-94.

Ibraheem Sulaiman made a successful pro debut with a first round stoppage over Michel Gonxhe in a four-round lightweight bout.

Sulaiman landed a hard left that was followed up by a flurry which was featured by a hard right hook and left to the face thar forced a stoppage at 1:27. Gonxhe protested the stoppage.

Sulaiman, 136.4 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Gonxhe, 136.5 lbs of Karlsruhe, GER is 5-5-1.

Aaron Bowen stopped Wilmer Baron htwo of their six-round middleweight bout

In round two, Bowen dropped Baron with a left to the body. Bowen then hit Baron with a right hand while he was down, but it was not called and the fight was over after a 10-count at 52 seconds.

Bowen, 162.9 lbs of Coventry, ENG is 3-0 with two knockouts. Baron, 165.3 lbs of Arboletes, COL is 6-2.

Sahil Khan made a successful pro debit with a four-round decision over Sean Jackson in a bantamweight fight.

Khan, 122.2 lbs of Birmingham, ENG won by a 40-36 score and is now 1-0. Jackson, 120.9 lbs of Manchester, NG is 0-15-1.

Muhammad Ali remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Francisco Rodriguez in a four-round super bantamweight fight.

In round three, Ali dropped Rodriguez with a body shot. Ali jumped all over Rodriguez until the towel was thrown in at 1:20

Ali, 123.5 lbs of Leicastershire, ENG is 3-0 with one knockout.

4 x 3 mins International Super-Bantamweight contest 
MUHAMMAD ALI 123.5 lbs v FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ 122.7 lbs
(Leicestershire, England)      (Alfacar, Spain)

followed by

4 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest
SAHIL KHAN 122.2 lbs v SEAN JACKSON 120.9 lbs
(Birmingham, England)   (Manchester, England)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Middleweight contest
AARON BOWEN 162.9 lbs v WILMER BARON 165.3 lbs
(Coventry, England)               (Arboletes, Colombia)

followed by

4 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest
IBRAHEEM SULAIMAN 136.4 lbs v MICHEL GONXHE 136.5 lbs
(Birmingham, England)                    (Karlsruhe, Germany)

19:00 LIVE ON DAZN

followed by

10 x 3 mins English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator
JORDAN FLYNN 129.6 lbs v KANE BAKER 129.8 lbs
(Oxford, England)                 (Birmingham, England)

followed by

8 x 3 mins international Super-Lightweight contest
KHALEEL MAJID 142.6 lbs v ALESSANDRO FERSULA 141.2 lbs
(Bolton, England)                   (Rome, Italy)  

followed by

10 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
SOLOMON DACRES 239.7 lbs v CHRIS THOMPSON 238.1 lbs
(Birmingham, England)                 (Gauteng, South Africa)  

followed by 

10 x 3 mins WBA International Welterweight Title 
CYRUS PATTINSON 146.5 lbs v CONAH WALKER 146.9 lbs
(Alnwick, England)                     (Wolverhampton, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins WBC International Flyweight Title
GALAL YAFAI 111.8 lbs v TOMMY FRANK 111.5 lbs
(Birmingham, England)    (Sheffield, England)

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Thank you Jordan and Darren. We’re here in Birmingham ahead of a massive NXTGEN card. These cards are so important to the development of British boxing, of the talent you are going to see competing around the world on the global stage. This city really needs more boxing. It was actually five years ago since we were last here for Amir Khan’s fight against Samuel Vargas, which of course we’ll never forget as well. This time, it’s the new generation, it’s the next generation. These guys have the task, the responsibility to be flag-bearers for British boxing over the next few years. Of course when you look at the past, and Matchroom’s history with the sport across Anthony Joshua who we saw last week, Tony Bellew, Carl Froch and ten years today since Darren Barker famously won his IBF Middleweight World Title. Let’s give him a round of applause. We know he’s very shy on this day every year to talk about it. These guys, some of our best young prospects, have the task, have the opportunity, the platform to go and achieve that. This weekend live around the world on DAZN one of the best prospects, not even a prospect anymore, Galal Yafai, the Olympic gold medallist from Birmingham has an opportunity to make another step forward in challenging for World Title honours. A tremendous card as well. Cyrus Pattinson against Conah Walker – great fight. Sol Dacres, who I think is a real sleeping giant of the domestic and international Heavyweight division, and so much more as well.”

Galal Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs defending his WBC International Flyweight Title against Tommy Frank):

“Thanks to everyone for coming. I don’t usually stay in Birmingham too long, but it’s my home city. I’m always training in Sheffield. I’m excited I get to fight in Birmingham. I’ve fought all over the world. It’s my first time in ten years fighting here so I’m looking to put on a show on Saturday. I’ve fought all over the world – Russians. Kazakhs, the Mexicans that you put me in with – I’m sick of them now. We’ve got Tommy Frank here now. I’ve known Tommy for a while. I’ve seen him box. He’s a good fighter. I want to say he’s underestimating me as a professional fighter. I heard something about how they think I’m a good amateur fighter but not a good professional fighter just yet. We’ll see on Saturday. I think I’m ready for those World level opportunities now but it’s just the experience. Quality-wise, I’m just as good as the top guys in the division but they’ve got experience – 19/20 fights. Can Tommy get that out of me on Saturday? We’ll have to wait and see won’t we. There’s always pressure. I love boxing. Tommy doesn’t have any pressure on him. He’s expected to lose. Every top athlete has to deal with pressure.”

Tommy Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs challenging Galal Yafai for the WBC International Flyweight Title):

“It’s just a massive opportunity for me. It’s the opportunity to change my life in many ways on Saturday night. Obviously Galal is an Olympic gold medallist, been there and done it as an amateur. He won a WBC International Title in his first fight. He’s had four ten round fights and he’s a very accomplished fighter. He’s from a boxing family, he’s been there and done it. I don’t know if he’s going to be the toughest but he’s definitely going to be the the most quality and the fighter with the most pedigree that I’ve fought. I just believe it’s everything for a reason. I believe I’ve got this opportunity for a reason. Coming off a loss I didn’t think I was going to get it. I did get it and I just believe this is a chance of a lifetime. Ultimately, I want a call back from you (Eddie Hearn) to get on more of these shows.”

Cyrus Pattinson (6-0, 4 KOs defending his WBA International Welterweight Title against Conah Walker):

“To be honest with you I’ve reiterated time and time again, I’m not interested in any other fight other than Saturday night. You can watch any interview that I’ve given, I’ve never mentioned any other fight apart from the fight on Saturday. That’s the only thing that matters. That was always the gameplan going into the Jenkins fight. That’s what we had been working on in the gym. I know that Conah likes to fight in that similar sort of style. I’m going to bring the same energy as him and it’s going to be a great fight. I’ve prepared for this fight like the contender, like it’s a vacant title. I’ll be able to sit and reflect after I’ve won the title again on Saturday. I know that Conah is a very dangerous fighter – he’s strong, he’s fit and he comes forward. He’s an intelligent fighter – a lot of people overlook his amateur background as well. I’ve got complete respect for him. I know what he’s going to bring.”

Conah Walker (11-2-1, 3 KOs challenging Cyrus Pattinson for the WBA International Welterweight Title): 

“This is the pinnacle of my career so far. Like you say, I’ll take any fight at the drop of a hat. I don’t know if you remember but in Manchester I came and sat next to you and said, ‘if you’ve got any lads, get me on your shows and you won’t be disappointed’. I’m here to fight, I’m going to echo what Solomon said. I want to take big fights and fight for titles. That’s what boxing is about. Get out there and have a fight. Too many people think about their records. Just get out there and test yourself. Have a dingdong and crack on. I respect Cyrus for taking this fight with me because in my eyes I think it’s a banana skin. There’s all this talk about the Riston fight, they might as well cancel that now. I’m taking that belt and it’s coming home with me back to Wolverhampton. Simple as.”

Solomon Dacres (6-0, 2 KOs faces Chris Thompson over ten rounds at Heavyweight):

“I believe that I’m ready to go at any level. I’ve sparred all of the World Champions over the last few years. I’ve been round the world as an amateur on the GB Squad. I just want to fight and I want to win titles. I don’t want to pad my record out or anything like that. I’m just ready to go. Even last week when Dillian Whyte was pulled out the fight, we don’t talk too much I put the offer straight in and said we’ll step in. I’m sure many other people did that as well. We just put our name forward straight away. We don’t hesitate. We want to take fights and we want to improve. I like to work off what my opponent is doing. The last one with Ismay, he came to fight so I picked him apart with the openings. He didn’t come to survive and hopefully my man over there is game and willing. I’m just going to pick him apart and do what I do in the ring.”

Chris Thompson (12-4-1, 7 KOs faces Solomon Dacres over ten rounds at Heavyweight):

“Thank you very much for having me here. Thank you to Matchroom. I’m excited for the opportunity. Sol Dacres is the current English Champion, me being the former South African and African Heavyweight Champion. I’m excited for the opportunity. I’m aware of the stage that I’m on and I know that I’ve got to take the opportunity with both hands and show the world what I can do. I’m going to enjoy myself in there. We didn’t come as an opponent, we came to win. That’s what I’m going to do on Saturday night, I’m going to come and I’m going to beat him. We’ll be back on Matchroom shows before the end of the year.”

Khaleel Majid (10-0, 3 KOs faces Alessandro Fersula over eight rounds at Super-Lightweight): 

“It’s about stepping up now, taking each fight as it comes, getting better and improving. This year I want to be, god willing, moving into title contention. Training camp has gone really good. I was in a good position to go and train with Buddy McGirt. It’s a shame he can’t be here on Saturday but we’ll get the job done. It’s about kicking on now and seeing what I can really do.”

Jordan Flynn (9-0, 1 KO faces Kane Baker in a ten round English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator):

“It’s going to be a good fight. To be honest I didn’t think the fight was actually that tough. It might have looked tough on TV and stuff but it didn’t feel tough. I had 2.5 weeks with my new coaches to get ready for the fight. That was the worst version of me on the night and it was still enough to beat the best version of Kane Baker. This Saturday you’re going to see a completely different Jordan Flynn against this guy. I’m going to bake him again. He keeps saying that I’ve only beaten people, journeyman and they’ve all been bums, but he’s one of the guys that I’ve beaten as well so I think he’s putting himself in that same category.”

Kane Baker (19-10-1, 1 KO faces Jordan Flynn in a ten round English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator):

“I’m 100% ready to go. Thank you and Matchroom and the whole team because dreams don’t come true for people like me but on Saturday night they will. A massive show in Birmingham, it’s something that I couldn’t have dreamed for, especially on the back of a loss. I just can’t wait to let it go on Saturday night. Every time I roll the dice. On Saturday night I’m looking for that double six. I watched it back and I still believe I won the first fight, but I’ve got to do a better job this time. I always dig deep and I can’t wait. The shovels are out now ready to start digging. I’m ready to start digging deep. I’m want to let everyone that is coming, family and friends, what Birmingham is about. How we get down. That’s what I’m going to do on Saturday night.”

Ibraheem Sulaiman (makes his professional debut against Michael Gonxhe over four rounds at Lightweight): 

“What can I say? It’s going to be a special moment and I can’t wait to showcase my skills. I achieved a lot as an amateur but now it’s time to show the world what I’m about. It’s going to be sick, I’ll have the whole city behind me. Saturday is going to be a special night. I can’t wait to show you what I’m about.”

Aaron Bowen (2-0, 1 KO faces Wilmer Baron over six rounds at Middleweight): 

“I’ve got another tough opponent this time. I think his style is going to gel with me better. He was awkward and slippery last time. I’ll look to meet this guy head on. It doesn’t look like he’s going to take a back step so it should be a good fight in front of all of the fans. I think this fight is going to bring the best out in me. The last one was tricky and small. I’ve sold over 300 tickets and I’ve got the bit between my teeth from the last one – I wasn’t overly happy with my performance. I feel like me and this guy are going to clash in the middle. There’s some good fights on the card but I think we can steal fight of the night.”

Sahil Khan (makes his professional debut against Sean Jackson over four rounds at Bantamweight): 

“All of the work is done, from amateurs to pros now. No we’re ready. Saturday night is going to be a big night of boxing. After 70 fights I’ve had 28 knockouts as an amateur which is quite a lot of knockouts. Expect an explosive performance on Saturday.”

Muhammad Ali (2-0, faces Francisco Rodriguez over four rounds at Super-Bantamweight):

“I’m only 18 and I’m still learning and developing. We take it one fight at a time. I’ve got all of my team mates who have been in the game a much longer time than me. Seeing them doing it is helping me. I’m excited. My last fight when I was an amateur I was 15. The amateur and the pro side are completely different. You’re getting punched with 8oz gloves with no head-guard. It’s completely different. Hopefully I will get my fanbase up and I will get them excited. If the knockout comes, it comes.”

Galal Yafai will headline Matchroom Boxing’s latest NXTGEN card at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Saturday August 19 when he puts his WBC International Flyweight Title on the line against Tommy Frank, shown live worldwide on DAZN. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs) fights in his home city for the first time as a professional after racking up four wins from four fights since joining the paid code with a long-term promotional deal back in January 2022. 

Amateur sensation Yafai picked up the WBC International crown on his professional debut at The O2 in London before making defences at the world-famous Madison Square Garden In New York, the stunning Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and The O2 once more last time out in April.

Sheffield’s Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs) conceded his British Flyweight Title to Wales’ World Title contender Jay Harris last time out in Rotherham, succumbing to a tenth-round stoppage after an entertaining back and forth barnstormer.

The former Central Area, Commonwealth, WBC International Silver and IBO Intercontinental Flyweight Champion is out to cause a big upset and claim the biggest scalp of his career, a win that would propel himself to the front of the queue for massive fights in the Flyweight division. 

Alnwick’s rising Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson (6-0, 4 KOs) broke down and stopped former British Champion Chris Jenkins last time out in March in his first headline fight at the Utilita Arena Newcastle to pick up the WBA International Title.

The 29-year-old former Team GB standout puts his Title on the line against Wolverhampton’s former Midlands Area Welterweight Champion Conah Walker (11-2-1, 3 KOs) as he continues to climb the 147lbs ladder towards further title shots later this year.

Warley Heavyweight hope Solomon Dacres (6-0, 2 KOs) looks to build on his two-round demolition of Robert Ismay earlier this year while Oxford’s Jordan Flynn (9-0, 1 KOs) and Birmingham’s Kane Baker (19-10-1, 3 KOs) rematch in an eliminator for the English Super-Featherweight Title following their April clash.

There’s also action on the card for Bolton Super-Lightweight Khaleel Majid (10-0, 3 KOs), Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen (2-0, 1 KO) and Leicester Bantamweight prospect Muhammad Ali (2-0), plus professional debuts for Birmingham duo Sahil Khan and Ibraheem Sulaimaan. 

“I’m excited to be fighting in my home city for the first time as a professional and to be headlining the show makes it even sweeter,” said Yafai. “I haven’t fought in Birmingham in around ten years so it’s going to be special fighting in front of my friends and family for the first time since capturing Olympic Gold and starting my pro career with Matchroom. 

“Tommy Frank is in the opposite corner and he’ll be fully motivated to get the upset but this is my city and I’ll be getting the win with a big performance on home soil. My career is progressing nicely and this is another step on my journey towards fighting for and winning World Titles. See you on August 19 Birmingham.”

“Although my last fight against Jay Harris was a defeat I learnt a lot from it and I have more belief in myself than ever before,” said Frank. “I wasn’t expecting this opportunity but I believe that things happen for a reason and I’ll be ready to make my mark on the big stage on August 19.

“Yafai is a quality fighter with a great pedigree and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I’m grateful for the opportunity and to be showcased on such a big platform. I will no doubt be underestimated but that’s fine with me, I believe I have a lot more to achieve in boxing and with a rejuvenated confidence in myself I believe this opportunity has come at the perfect time.”

“I’m excited to be returning to Birmingham for our first show in the city for almost five years,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Olympic gold hero Galal Yafai gets the opportunity to headline his first show and it’s a WBC International Title defence against Sheffield’s former British Champion Tommy Frank. Galal has looked sensational so far on his professional journey and he’ll be determined to impress on home soil as he continues to work towards World Titles in the Flyweight division and beyond.

“There’s plenty of emerging Midlands talent on display with Solomon Dacres taking his next step in the Heavyweight division and destructive Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen returning for his third fight in the pros. North East Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson looks to build on his sensational scrap with Chris Jenkins and there’s plenty more on offer for our second NXTGEN helping of the year. Catch it all live around the world on DAZN.”

Tickets for Yafai vs. Frank are priced £40, £60, £120 and £200 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and The Ticket Factory from midday on Thursday July 13.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin at The 02 Arena in London.

Joshua landed 117 of 376 punches. Franklin was 58 of 426.

Joshua won by scores of 118-111 and 117-111 twice and is now 25-3. Frankilin of Saginaw, MI is 21-2.

Fabio Wardley Stops Coffie in 4

Fabio Wardley stopped Michael Coffie in round four of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Wardley was bleeding from his nose. In round four, Wardley landed a hard right that backed Coffie up on the ropes. Wardley landed a big assault in the ropes and the referee stopped the bout (maybe a punch or two prematurely) at 45 seconds.

Wardley, 242.9 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 16-0 with 15 knockouts. Coffie, 269.4 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 13-4.

Gala Yafai Stops Calleros in 4

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai stopped former world title challenger Moises Calleros in round four of a 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai dropped Calleros in round four, and the fight was stopped by the referee at

Yafai, 113.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 4-0 with three knockouts. Calleros, 114.2 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 36-11-1.

Campbell Hatton Stops Fielding in 1

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Louis Fielding in a scheduled eight-round super lightweight contest.

Hatton landed a perfect left hook to the rib area that put Fielding on the deck for the 10-count at 1:29. Fielding, 138.8 lb of Tamworth, ENG is 10-8.

Hatton, 139.12 lbs of Hyde, ENG is 11-0 with four knockouts.

Ammo Williams Stops Wilson-Bent in 8

Austin Williams remained undefeated with an eighth round stoppage over River Wilson-Bent in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.

In round seven, Williams dropped Wilson-Bent with a straight left Wilson-Bent began to bleed over his right eye. In round eight, Williams continued the assault and the towel was thrown in at 1:01.

Williams, 162.3 lbs of Houston, TX is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Wilson-Bent, 162.7 lbs of Coventry, ENG is 14-3-1.

John Hedges won a eight-round unanimous decision over Daniel Bocianski in a light heavyweight bou

Hedges, 189.14 lbs of Takely, ENG won by an 80-72 and is now 8-0. Bocianski, 186.4 lbs of Nowy Saczm POL is 11-3.

Ziyad Almaayouf won a four-round decision over Georgi Velichkov in a welterweight bout.

Almaayouf, 145.14 lbs of Saudi Arabia won by a 39-37 score and is now 3-0. Velchkov, 142.7 lbs of Sofia, BUL is 3-12.

Jordan Flynn remained undefeated with a hard fought eight-round decision over Kane Baker in a super featherweight bout.

Flynn, 129.10 lbs of Oxford, ENG won by a 77-75 score and is now 9-0. Baker, 129.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 18-10-1.

In a mild upset, Benoit Huber won a eight-round decision over Juergen Uldedaj in a heavyweight bout.

Huber, 200 lbs of Sjon, SWI won by a score of 77-75 and is now 9-3. Uldedaj, 203.8 lbs of Lezhe, ALB is 15-1.

Peter Kadiru stopped Alen Lauriolle after the opening round of their six-round heavyweight bout.

Kadiru’s body work hurt Lauriolle’s ribs and the bout was stopped in between rounds.

kadiru, 239.3 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 15-1 with eight knockouts. Lauriolle, 273.2 lbs of Skopie, MAC is 6-2.

Chantelle Cameron won the undisputed Super Lightweight Title with a 10 round unanimous decision over Jessica McCaskill.

Cameron of Northampton, ENG won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice and is now 17-0. McCaskill of Chicago is 12-3.

Shavkhatdzhon Rakhimov won the vacant IBF Super Featherweight title with a ninth round stoppage over Zelfa Barrett.

In round three, Barrett landed a big right hand that drove Rakhimov into the ropes for a knockdown.

In round nine, Rakhimov started walking down and landing hard punches on Barrett until he put Barrett on the deck. Barrett clearly had a issue with his leg, and Rakhimov just started unloading on his prey. The onslaught continued until another flurry sent Barrett to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at

Rakhimov of Boktar, TAJ is 17-0-1 with 14 knockouts. Barrett of Manchester, ENG is 26-2.

Galal Yafai eked out a 10-round split decision over Gohan Rodriguez Garcia in a flyweight bout.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG won by scores of 96-94, 96-95 and Garcia won a card 96-95.

Yafai is 3-0. Garcia of Gomez Palacio, MEX is 12-2-1.

John Lawrence Ordonio won a four-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Majid Al Naqbi in a super lightweight fight.

Ordonio of San Fernando City, PHL won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 8-4-1. Al Naqbi of Dubai, UAE is 7-1.

Former world champion Khalid Yafai survived an early knockdown to win a thin 10-round unanimous decision over Jerald Paclar in a bantamweight bout.

In round one, Paclar dropped Yafai with a short right to the jaw.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG won by scores of 96-93 twice and 95-94 and is now 27-1. Paclar of Cebu City, PHL is 16-6-3.

Sultan Al Nuaimi remained undefeated by stopping Sohaib Haque in round seven of a scheduled eight-round bantamweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 2:26 for Al Nuaimi of Dubai who is now 9-0 with six knockouts. Haque of Calcutta, IND is 4-3.

Aqib Fiaz remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Diego Valtierra in a lightweight contest.

Fiaz of Oldham, ENG won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 10-0. Valtierra of Algortal, SPA is 6-6-2.

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Denis Bartos in a six-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Campbell put Bartos down with a double right hand to the body. Hatton ended things seconds later by landing a left to the body that put Bartos down for the 10-count at 1:44.

Hatton of Hyde, ENG is 9-0 with three knockouts. Bartos of Rakovnik, CZE is 9-6.

Fahad Al Bloushi won a six-round unanimous decision over Irakli Shariashvili in a lightweight fight.

Al Bloushi of Dubai, UAE won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and is now 11-1. Shariashvili of Rustavi, GEO is 7-13-1.

In a fight that exceeded huge expectations Katie Taylor won a 10-round split decision in front of a raucous and sold-out 19, 187 at Madison Square Garden.

The bout was billed as the best female fight of all-time, it delivered and then some. The two came out on even terms, with Taylor boxing just a hair better to take a slight early lead.

Serrano hurt Taylor badly in both rounds five and six with hard combinations. Taylor wanted to stand toe-to-toe with Serrano and paid dearly for it. Taylor seemed wobbly and unsettled as she stood in her corner between rounds five and six. Taylor was able stem the tide and start scoring from distance with quick combinations. Several times down the stretch, the two best female fighters on the world electrified The Garden Crowd by exchanging in the midst of furious flurries. The two did that until the very bell in this sure-fire Fight of the Year contender.

Taylor landed 147 of 575 punches; Serrano was 175 of 624.

Taylor of Bray, IRE took two cards by scores of 97-93 and 96-93. Serrano of Brooklyn, NY won a card by 96-94.

Taylor is now 21-0. Serrano is 42-2-1.

“What a fighter Amanda Serrano is – I think we are both great fighters,” said Taylor. “Look what we have just done, selling out Madison Square Garden, the biggest venue in boxing history. 
 
“Both of us have broken so many barriers in her careers. It feels great to be in this position really! Amazing fight. What a night!
 
“I knew exactly how deep I had to dig in this fight. I knew going into it that I was going to be in the trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter and a great, great person. 
 
“I was listening to my trainer and I’m so grateful for Ross. Thank you for everything. You’re such a humble guy but you’re the best in the world.”

Smith Batters, Stops Vargas in 10

In a battle of former world champions, Liam Smith stopped Jessie Vargas in round 10 of their 12-round junior middleweight clash.

The fight was close through four rounds, with several even exchanges occurring between the two fighters. The naturally bigger Smith began to take over and started beating up Vargas. With each successive round, Vargas looked more tired, which opened for more powerful shots to land by Smith. Finally in round 10, Smith landed a big left hook that set off an unanswered flurry that forced referee Steve Willis to stop the bout at 41 seconds.

Smith of Liverpool, UK is 31-3-1 with 18 knockouts. Vargas of Las Vegas falls to 29-4-2.

Crews-Dezurn Decisions Cederroos to win Undisputed Super Middleweight Crown

Franchon Crews-Dezurn won the Undisputed Super Middleweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Elin Cederroos.

It was an action packed fight that saw Crews-Dezurn land a lot of overhand shots that forced the nose of Cederroos to bleed as early as round four.

Crews-Dezurn landed 171 of 439 punches; Cederroos was 108 of 511.

Crews-Dezurn of Baltimore, MD won by scores of 99-91 and 97-93 and is now 8-1. Cederroos of Sweden is 8-1.

Yafai Stops Cartagena After 2

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner, Galal Yafai stopped Miguel Cartagena after round two of their scheduled 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai dominated Cartagena all over the ring for both rounds until the fight was stopped.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG is 2-0 with two knockouts. Cartagena of Philadelphia i 17-7-1.

NEW YORK–Austin Williams destroyed Chordale Booker in the opening round of the 10-round middleweight bout.

Williams hurt Booker and the pounded away on him with Booker sitting on the ropes for a scored knockdown. Booker was deemed unable to continue at 2:25.

Williams of Houston, TX is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Booker of Stamford, CT is 17-1.

Reshat Mati remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Joe Eli Hernandez in a super lightweight bout.

Mati, 143.8 lbs of Staten Island, NY won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 12-0. Hernandez, Matarnoros, MEX is 12-2.

Australian Olympian Skye Nicolson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Shanecqua Paisley Davis in a featherweight bout.

In round six, Nicolson capped off the victory by dropping Davis with a straight left.

Nicolson, 125.6 lbs of Yatala, AUS won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 3-0. Davis, 125.2 lbs of Houston is 3-2.

Khalil Coe remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over William Langston in a light heavyweight bout.

Coe, 174. lbs of Jersey City, NJ won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 3-0-1. Langston, 173 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 6-3.

Galal Yafai will make his American debut in the pro ranks as he defends his WBC International Flyweight Title against Miguel Cartagena on the undercard of the historic clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden in New York, live worldwide on DAZN.  TICKETS FOR TAYLOR VS. SERRANO ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER.COM  Yafai (1-0 1 KO) made his hotly-anticipated pro bow in February at The O2 in London, and showed why there was such a scramble to sign the 2020 Olympic Gold medal winner by stopping Carlos Bautista inside five rounds to land the crown he puts on the line in the Big Apple.   The 29 year old is the youngest of the three talented Yafai brothers from Birmingham, England, and follows former World ruler Kal in stepping through the ropes Stateside, but could face a hostile crowd when doing so against Cartagena (17-6-1 8 KOs), the Puerto Rican from Philadelphia who will be hoping the Puerto Rican fans there to roar on Serrano in the main event will back him to derail Yafai’s journey early.   “I’m hugely excited for my second professional fight on the historic Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano Undisputed Lightweight World Title show at the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York on April 30,” said Yafai. “Big thanks to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for getting me out so soon after my debut win in London earlier this year.   “Boxing at such an iconic venue in just my second fight is a massive box ticked for me and I’m looking to impress in front of an American audience and all around the world on DAZN. Miguel Cartagena is another opponent that will be coming to win on home soil, but I’ll be keeping hold of my belt with a stylish win and to show people how good I am.”   “This is a huge opportunity for me and one I’ve been waiting for,” said Cartagena. “I know they think this is a showcase for him, but they are in for a rude awakening. I wanted this fight. I’ve been asking for it.   “I know the Puerto Rican fans will be there supporting me and I don’t plan on disappointing them. They made a mistake and come April 30 they are going to find out.” “This is a great opportunity for Galal to show the world what we all think – that he’s a very, very special fighter,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “These are the spotlights and platforms that rising talents thrive on, and i expect Galal to do just that – but with the Puerto Rican fans on his side, Miguel is going to give everything he’s got to spoil Galal’s night. It’s another great addition to what promises to be an unforgettable night in New York.”   Yafai’s clash with Cartagena is part of a huge night of action in New York, topped by Taylor and Serrano becoming the first female fighters to headline the iconic venue.   Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith meet in a must-win battle at Super-Welterweight and there’s more undisputed action on the card as Franchón Crews-Dezurn and Elin Cederroos decide who is the top dog at Super-Middleweight.   Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams is in a tough test with fellow unbeaten Middleweight Chordale Booker, Reshat Mati is always popular in his home city and the ‘Albanian Bear’ meets Joe Eli Hernandez over eight rounds, and Light-Heavyweight talent Khalil Coe makes the short trip from Jersey City to face William Langston over six.

Lawrence Okolie made the 2nd defense of the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Michal Cieslak at the 02 Arena in London, England.

In round five, Okolie dropped Cieslak with an overhand right to the head.

Okolie landed 125 of 466 punches; Cieslak was 55 of 313.

Okolie, 199.3 lbs of Hackney, ENG won by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 and is now 18-0. Cieslak, 199.5 lbs of Radom, POL is 21-2.

Yafai stops Bautista in 5

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai made a successful pro debut with a 5th round stoppage over Carlos Vado Bautista in a scheduled 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai beat up Bautista over the course of the fight. In round five, Yafai landed a straight left that sent Bautista down, and the fight was stopped.

Yafai, 111.5 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Bautista, 109 1/2 lbs of Mexico City is 10-5-1.

Gill stops Guerfi in 9

Jordan Gill stopped Karim Karim Guerfi in round nine of their featherweight bout

It seemed liked it would be Guerfi’s night as in round seven, Guerfi sent Gill to the canvas with a starlight right hand. In round nine, Gill landed a big right that sent Guerfi crashing down on his back and he was out at 2:59.

Gill, 126 lbs of Chatteris, ENG is 27-1-1 with eight knockouts. Guerfi, 125.3 lbs of Manosque, FRA is 30-6.

Fowler Decisions Maciej

Anthony Fowler won a 10-round unanimous decision over Lukasz Maciej in a middleweight fight.

Fowler, 163.5 lbs of Liverpool, ENG won by scores of 99-91, 99-92 and 99-93 and is now 16-2. Maciej, 163.6 lbs of Lublin, POL is 27-4-1,

Wardley Stops Martz in 2

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Daniel Martz in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Wardley dropped Martz with an overhand left-right combination. Wardley scored a 2nd knockdown when he landed a left to the side of the head, and the fight was stopped at 30 seconds.

Wardley, 234.5 lbs of Ipswitch, ENG is 13-0 with 12 knockouts. Martz, 266.2 lbs of Clarksburg, WV is 20-10-1.

Hatton Stops Ducker in 6

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a 6th and final round stoppage over Joe Ducker in a lightweight bout.

Hatton dominated the action until the bout was stopped at 2:23.

Hatton, 136.2 of Manchester, ENG is 6-0 with two knockouts. Ducker, 136.7 lbs of Loughbrough, ENG is 9-9-2.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Galal Yafai MBE has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make his highly anticipated professional debut on the Lawrence Okolie vs. Michal Cieslak WBO Cruiserweight World Title show at The O2 in London on Sunday February 27, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).   Birmingham’s Yafai fulfilled his lifelong dream and became Olympic Champion as he brilliantly won Team GB’s first boxing gold of Tokyo 2020, impressively outpointing the Philippines’ Carlo Paalam to secure gold in the Flyweight division – Britain’s 19th gold medal of the Games.    Yafai comes from a proud boxing family, with old brothers Kal and Gamal having successful careers in the professional ranks after beginning as amateurs. 2008 Olympian Kal won a European silver medal in 2010 before turning pro and winning the WBA Super-Flyweight World Title in 2016, with Gamal winning Commonwealth and European Titles.    “The goal now is to win a World Title,” said Yafai. “I know there’s not many who have won Olympic Gold and then a World Title so hopefully I can add my name to that list. There’s some great current World Champions out there at the minute, I’m not going to call out any names but my time will come – I have set my sights on being at the very top. “I’ve boxed all over the World with Team GB, it’s made me into a better fighter no doubt. I’ve fought and sparred with many styles which will stand me in good stead in the pro game. Eyes will be on me as a pro but I thrive on the pressure and it’s a really exciting time to be entering this new chapter of my career. “I remember standing on the podium with the National Anthem playing with the medal around my neck, it was a surreal moment. I enjoyed my time in Tokyo and now I’m ready for the next step. Matchroom are the biggest promotional company in the world. I’ve known Eddie for years obviously with all the shows with my brothers so it was the best fit for me to become a World Champion.” “I’m over the moon to secure the signature of Olympic Gold Medallist Galal Yafai and we welcome him with open arms to the Matchroom Boxing and DAZN team,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Galal was the standout British fighter at the Games and we have a long-standing relationship with his brothers, so it was personally very important to me to get this done.    “Galal is going to do things very differently, for his professional debut at The O2 we are looking for him to challenge for his first professional title and from there move quickly to a World Title which we expect him to win across multiple divisions. This young man is an exceptional talent and you are going to be able to watch him on the biggest shows all over the world live on DAZN.”   You can follow Yafai’s journey on Instagram: galalyafai and Twitter: @galal_yafai Tickets for Okolie vs. Cieslak are priced £40, £60, £100, £150 and £250 (VIP). General Sale tickets can be purchased NOW via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).