Galal Yafai: from factory worker to Flyweight Star—Prepare for Sunny Edwards showdown

Galal Yafai’s journey to the top of the boxing world is nothing short of inspiring. From working in a Land Rover factory to securing an Olympic gold medal, Yafai’s career showcases his relentless drive and determination. Now, at 31, he faces one of the most significant challenges of his career—a showdown with former world champion Sunny Edwards in his hometown of Birmingham. Here’s an in-depth look at Yafai’s rise, his thoughts on the upcoming fight, and his future in the flyweight division.

A Rocky Start: From Factory Work to Boxing Glory

Before stepping into the ring, Galal Yafai was just another young man working a 9-to-5 job, packing car parts, and questioning his future. “I hated my job,” he recalls, describing the monotonous routine that kept him away from his dreams of becoming a professional boxer. Yafai’s path to boxing greatness didn’t begin until later in life. Starting boxing at 18, Yafai balanced a full-time job with his burgeoning boxing career. It wasn’t until he embraced his natural talent and put in the hard work that he began to rise through the ranks.

Yafai’s breakthrough moment came in 2020 when he won an Olympic gold medal in flyweight boxing at the Tokyo Olympics. Reflecting on that win, Yafai says, “Winning gold was surreal.” But despite his amateur success, turning pro at 28 meant he was playing catch-up. “I knew I was going to have to be thrown into the deep end,” he admits, acknowledging that his late start meant he had to make up for lost time in the professional ranks.

Galal Yafai vs. Sunny Edwards: A Rivalry Years in the Making

The next chapter of Yafai’s career features a highly anticipated showdown with Sunny Edwards, a fighter he has sparred with several times before. Their shared history dates back to an amateur match in 2015, where Edwards won by split decision. Yafai, undefeated as a pro (8-0, 6 KOs), will face Edwards for an interim world title on November 30th.

While some may think the fight comes too soon for Yafai, he believes he’s more than ready. “I would have said yes to this fight before, but now that I’ve been a pro for nearly three years, I feel prepared,” Yafai explains. His confidence is bolstered by the numerous sparring sessions he’s had with Edwards, where he didn’t just hold his own but thrived. “If I’d really struggled in those spars, this fight wouldn’t be happening,” he adds.

Though Edwards is known for his outspoken personality on social media, Yafai stresses that their rivalry is strictly professional. “We’ve always been cool,” he says, acknowledging that while they share a mutual respect, when the bell rings, both fighters will give everything to win. “I’ll be trying to rip his head off, and he’ll be trying to do the same,” Yafai promises, adding that the fight will be intense.

The Road Ahead: Yafai’s Plans for Flyweight Domination

Despite his late entry into the professional scene, Yafai has his sights set on becoming a world champion in the flyweight division. Currently ranked No. 4 by the WBC and No. 10 by the WBO, he’s already on the cusp of a title shot. However, he’s taking things one fight at a time, with the immediate goal being to defeat Edwards. “I don’t know how far I can go, but I’ve been fortunate,” he reflects, emphasizing the unpredictability of boxing. “Anything can happen in this sport.”

If Yafai defeats Edwards, his next target will likely be Kenshiro Teraji, the current flyweight champion. “I don’t care if it’s in Saudi Arabia, Japan, or America—I just want to be world champion,” he says. Yafai is driven by the desire to prove himself at the highest level, and if he can secure victory over Edwards, it could set him on a collision course with the best in the world.

Conclusion: A Champion in the Making

Galal Yafai’s rise from a factory worker to an Olympic gold medalist and now a top contender in the flyweight division is a story of hard work, sacrifice, and unyielding determination. As he prepares for the biggest fight of his career against Sunny Edwards, Yafai is determined to prove that he belongs among the world’s best flyweights. Regardless of whether he becomes a world champion or not, Yafai has already achieved what many thought was impossible, and his journey is far from over. One thing is clear: Galal Yafai is a fighter to watch.