Galal Yafai

{{Infobox boxer

|name=Galal Yafai
{{small|جلال يافعي}}

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|size=100%|MBE|}}

|image=Galal yafai.jpg

|image_size=

|caption=(2016)

|realname=

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1992|12|11|df=y}}

|birth_place=Birmingham, England

|nationality=

|nickname=

|weight=Flyweight

|height=5 ft 4 in

|reach=68 in

|style=Southpaw

|total=9

|wins=9

|KO=7

|losses=

|draws=

|no contests=

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry|{{GBR2}}}}

{{MedalCountry|{{ENG}}}}

}}

Galal Yafai ({{langx|ar|جلال يافعي}}; born 11 December 1992) is an English professional boxer. He has held the WBC interim flyweight title since November 2024.

As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2017 European Championships; gold at the 2018 Commonwealth; bronze at the 2019 European Games; and gold at the 2020 Olympics.

Early life

Yafai was born to Yemeni parents. He is the younger brother of boxers Kal Yafai and Gamal Yafai.{{cite news|title=Boxing: Yafai brothers packing a punch for Birmingham|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/other-sport/boxing-yafai-brothers-packing-a-punch-218692|accessdate=9 May 2016|work=Birmingham Mail|date=24 October 2012}} Yafai was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for his services to boxing.{{London Gazette|issue=63571|supp=y|page=N26|date=1 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/59828368|title= New Year Honours 2022: Jason Kenny receives a knighthood and Laura Kenny made a dame|date=31 December 2021|work=BBC Sport}}

Amateur career

While representing England in the light-flyweight division, the southpaw won a silver medal at the 2017 European Championships and gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and bronze while representing Great Britain in the flyweight division at the 2019 European Games. He also competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

At the 2016 European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Samsun, Turkey, Yafai defeated Samuel Carmona Heredia of Spain by unanimous decision in his semifinal to secure his place in the 2016 Olympic.{{cite news|last1=Dennen|first1=John|title=Galal Yafai and Qais Ashfaq win Rio 2016 places|url=http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/galal-yafai-and-qais-ashfaq-win-rio-2016-places/|accessdate=8 May 2016|work=Boxing News|date=15 April 2016}}{{cite news|title=Olympic boxing: Nicola Adams among eight British qualifiers for Rio 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/36055632|accessdate=8 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=15 April 2016}} He won his round of 32 fight defeating Simplice Fotsala of Cameroon. He lost his Round of 16 fight to Joahnys Argilagos of Cuba.

In May 2019, Yafai was selected to compete at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus.{{cite web |title=Team GB squad announcement for the European Games |url=https://www.teamgb.com/news/team-gb-squad-announcement-for-the-european-games |website=Team GB |accessdate=29 May 2019 |date=21 May 2019}} He also competed at the 2019 World Championships in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where he lost by unanimous decision to Billal Bennama in the quarter-finals.{{cite web |title=Thirteen boxers from GB Boxing squad selected to compete at 2019 World Championships in Russia |url=https://www.gbboxing.org.uk/2019/09/11/thirteen-boxers-from-gb-boxing-squad-selected-to-compete-at-2019-world-championships-in-russia/ |publisher=GB Boxing |accessdate=18 September 2019}} He qualified to represent Great Britain at the 2020 Summer Olympics,{{Cite news|title=Galal Yafai relieved to have clinched Tokyo 2020 qualification before shutdown|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/boxing/galal-yafai-relieved-to-have-clinched-tokyo-2020-qualification-before-shutdown-39105897.html|access-date=2021-04-11|issn=0307-1235}} where he won the gold medal in the flyweight division beating Carlo Paalam of the Philippines in the final.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/58125750|title=Boxer Yafai wins gold for Britain|work=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2021 }}

Professional career

Yafai faced Carlos Vado Bautista for the vacant WBC International flyweight title on 27 February 2022, in his professional debut, on the undercard of the Lawrence Okolie and Michal Cieslak cruiserweight title bout.{{cite web |last1=Dixon |first1=Tris |title=Golden Galal Yafai Says He Wants To "Test Himself" Ahead Of 10-round Debut |url=https://www.ringtv.com/635223-golden-galal-yafai-says-he-wants-to-test-himself-ahead-of-10-round-debut/ |website=ringtv.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |date=24 February 2022}} He captured the regional title by a fifth-round technical knockout, as Bautista's corner decided to throw in the towel near the end of the round.{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Ron |title=Galal Yafai Stops Bautista in Five, Wins WBC Regional Belt in Pro Debut |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/galal-yafai-stops-bautista-five-wins-wbc-regional-belt-pro-debut--164427 |website=boxingscene.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |date=27 February 2022}}

Yafai successfully defended his WBC International flyweight title against Miguel Cartagena on 30 April 2022, in his United States debut, on the undercard of the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano title unification bout, via a second round corner retirement.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Shaun |title=Galal Yafai Aiming To Impress American Audience On April 30 |url=https://boxing-social.com/news/galal-yafai-aiming-to-impress-american-audience-on-april-30/ |website=boxing-social.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |date=8 April 2022}}

On April 6, 2024 in Las Vegas, Yafai stopped Agustin Mauro Gauto in the eighth round and retained his WBC International flyweight title.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Galal Yafai gets cut, stops Agustin Mauro Gauto in eighth round |url=https://www.fightmag.com/galal-yafai-gets-cut-stops-agustin-mauro-gauto-in-eighth-round/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=7 April 2024}}

Yafai stopped Sergio Oliva in round three at Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, England, on 28 September 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/yafai-remains-on-track-edwards-fight-stops-oliva-three-rounds--186183|title=Yafai remains on track for Edwards fight, stops Oliva in three rounds|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=28 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://3kingsboxing.com/galal-yafai-stops-orozco-with-ease-sunny-edwards-fight-is-next/|title=Galal Yafai Stops Orozco With Ease; Sunny Edwards Fight Is Next|publisher=3kingsboxing.com|accessdate=28 September 2024}}

=WBC interim flyweight championship=

==Yafai vs. Edwards==

Yafai faced Sunny Edwards for the interim WBC flyweight title at Bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, England on November 30, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Sunny Edwards vs Galal Yafai launch press conference face-off |url=https://www.fightmag.com/photos-sunny-edwards-vs-galal-yafai-launch-press-conference-face-off/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=2 October 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Donovan |first1=Jake |title=Galal Yafai Halts Sergio Orozco In 3rd Round, Preserves Nov. 30 Sunny Edwards Showdown In Birmingham |url=https://www.ringtv.com/713525-galal-yafai-halts-sergio-orozco-in-3rd-round-preserves-nov-30-sunny-edwards-showdown-in-birmingham/ |work=The Ring |date=28 September 2024}} Yafai won the fight by TKO in the sixth round.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/galal-yafai-bullies-sunny-edwards-into-one-sided-stoppage-defeat--200452|title=Galal Yafai bullies Sunny Edwards into one-sided stoppage defeat|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=30 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/cev9v8vekygo|title=Yafai puts on masterclass to beat Edwards|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=1 December 2024}}

Professional boxing record

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=7

|ko-losses=

|dec-wins=2

|dec-losses=

}}

class=wikitable style=text-align:center
{{abbr\|No.\|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes
9 \|{{yes2}}Win \|9–0 \|align=left\|Sunny Edwards \|TKO \|6 (12), {{small\|1:10}} \|30 Nov 2024 \|align=left\|{{small\|bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham, England}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Won vacant WBC interim flyweight title}}
8 \|{{yes2}}Win \|8–0 \|align=left\|Sergio Oliva \|TKO \|3 (10), {{small\|1:49}} \|28 Sep 2024 \|align=left\|{{small\|Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, England}} \|align=left\|
7 \|{{yes2}}Win \|7–0 \|align=left\|Agustin Mauro Gauto \|TKO \|8 (10), {{small\|2:40}} \|6 Apr 2024 \|align=left\|{{small\|Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}
6 \|{{yes2}}Win \|6–0 \|align=left\|Rocco Santomauro \|UD \|10 \|16 Dec 2023 \|align=left\|{{small\|Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}
5 \|{{yes2}}Win \|5–0 \|align=left\|Tommy Frank \|TKO \|1 (10), {{small\|1:40}} \|19 Aug 2023 \|align=left\|{{small\|Uilita Arena, Birmingham, England}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}
4 \|{{yes2}}Win \|4–0 \|align=left\|Moisés Calleros \|TKO \|4 (10), {{small\|0:44}} \|1 Apr 2023 \|align=left\|{{small\|The O2 Arena, London, England}} \|align=left\|
3 \|{{yes2}}Win \|3–0 \|align=left\|Gohan Rodriguez Garcia \|{{abbr\|SD\|Split decision}} \|10 \|5 Nov 2022 \|align=left\|{{small\|Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}
2 \|{{yes2}}Win \|2–0 \|align=left\|Miguel Cartagena \|{{abbr\|RTD\|Corner retirement}} \|2 (10), {{small\|3:00}} \|30 Apr 2022 \|align=left\|{{small\|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}
1 \|{{yes2}}Win \|1–0 \|align=left\|Carlos Vado Bautista \|{{abbr\|TKO\|Technical knockout}} \|5 (10), {{small\|2:11}} \|27 Feb 2022 \|align=left\|{{small\|The O2 Arena, London, England}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Won vacant WBC International flyweight title}}

class=wikitable style=text-align:center

!Result

!Record

!Opponent

!Type

!Round, time

!Date

!Location

!Notes

|{{yes2}}Win

|9–0

|align=left|Sunny Edwards

|TKO

|6 (12), {{small|1:10}}

|30 Nov 2024

|align=left|{{small|bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham, England}}

|align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBC interim flyweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|8–0

|align=left|Sergio Oliva

|TKO

|3 (10), {{small|1:49}}

|28 Sep 2024

|align=left|{{small|Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, England}}

|align=left|

|{{yes2}}Win

|7–0

|align=left|Agustin Mauro Gauto

|TKO

|8 (10), {{small|2:40}}

|6 Apr 2024

|align=left|{{small|Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}}

|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|6–0

|align=left|Rocco Santomauro

|UD

|10

|16 Dec 2023

|align=left|{{small|Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.}}

|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|5–0

|align=left|Tommy Frank

|TKO

|1 (10), {{small|1:40}}

|19 Aug 2023

|align=left|{{small|Uilita Arena, Birmingham, England}}

|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|4–0

|align=left|Moisés Calleros

|TKO

|4 (10), {{small|0:44}}

|1 Apr 2023

|align=left|{{small|The O2 Arena, London, England}}

|align=left|

|{{yes2}}Win

|3–0

|align=left|Gohan Rodriguez Garcia

|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}

|10

|5 Nov 2022

|align=left|{{small|Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates}}

|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|2–0

|align=left|Miguel Cartagena

|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}

|2 (10), {{small|3:00}}

|30 Apr 2022

|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}

|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC International flyweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|1–0

|align=left|Carlos Vado Bautista

|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}

|5 (10), {{small|2:11}}

|27 Feb 2022

|align=left|{{small|The O2 Arena, London, England}}

|align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBC International flyweight title}}

References

External links

{{Boxrec|id=850302}}
[https://box.live/boxers/galal-yafai/ Galal Yafai - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings] at [https://Box.Live Box.Live]
{{Olympedia}}
{{Olympics.com profile}}
{{Team GB}}
{{Team England|galal-yafai}}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBC International
flyweight champion

|years=27 February 2022 – 30 November 2024
Won interim title}}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBC flyweight champion
Interim title

|years=30 November 2024 – present}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:English male boxers

Category:Boxers from Birmingham, West Midlands

Category:English people of Yemeni descent

Category:Yemeni boxers