Former IBF World Champion “Showtime” Sunny Edwards was beaten by 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist and WBC International Champion Galal Yafai, stopping him in six rounds for the vacant WBC Interim World Flyweight title on Saturday night at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. , England.
(Credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
Edwards (21-2-1, 12 KOs) was stopped by 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Yafai (9-0, 7) at 1:10 of the sixth round of a scheduled 12 round bout.
In the first five rounds, it was all Yafai, his hand speed taking a beating from Edwards. Referee Lee Every had seen enough in the sixth round, calling a stoppage.
WBA Inter-Continental Middleweight Champion Kieron ‘Too Class’ Conway (22-3-1, 6 KOs) won a 12-round split decision over ‘Ruthless’ Ryan Kelly (19-5-1, 8 KOs) for the Commonwealth Board Vacant. Middleweight title over 12 rounds.
In the first four rounds, Kelly continued to push forward against Conway’s jab which has an advantage. In the fifth through ninth rounds, Conway opened up in the final minutes, taking close rounds.
In the tenth round, Kelly drew blood from Conway’s nose. In the twelfth and final round, Kelly finished with a right to the chin, ending a close fight.
The scores were 116-112 Conway, 115-114 Kelly, 115-113 Conway.
Lightweight “The One” Cameron Vuong (7-0, 1 KO) won a close decision over former British, Commonwealth and EBU champion “Mexican Mercer” Gavin Gwynne (17-4-1, 5 KOs) in ten rounds.
In the first three rounds, Gwynne followed Vuong around the ring, getting countered mostly by jabs. In the fourth round, a clash of heads caused a cut under Gwynne’s left eye.
In the fifth to eighth rounds, Gwynne began to land more, getting Vuong to turn south at times against the ropes, although Gwynne’s left eye was slowly partially closed and cut below the straight eye In the final seconds of the ninth round, Vuong landed a solid right. In the tenth and final round, the fight seemed to be up for grabs.
The results 97-94, 96-95 and 96-94. Some fans were not happy with the decision.
In the main event, former WBA Int’l Welterweight champion Conah ‘The Wolf’ Walker (14-3-1, 5 KOs) easily defeated former British Light and WBA Inter-Continental Super Light champion ‘The Sandman ‘ Lewis Ritson (23-). 5, 13 KO) over ten rounds.
In the first eight rounds, Walker outplayed Ritson throughout. In the ninth round, Ritson came out holding Walker, trying to go the distance. In the tenth and final round, Ritson finally opened up in the last minute, well behind the fight.
The scores were 98-93 and 97-93 twice.
BBBofC English Lightweight Champion Troy Jones (12-0, 6 KOs), defeated Michael ‘Mini Mike’ Stephenson (9-3) in ten rounds.
In the fifth round, Jones was deducted a point by Ref Mark Lyson for using his shoulder.
The scores were 98-91, 98-91 and 97-93.
Flyweight Hamzan ‘The Great’ Uddin (3-0, 1 KO) defeated a game Benn ‘L’il’ Stormin’ Norman, 7-6) in six rounds.
In the first three rounds, Uddin had an advantage. In the fourth and fifth rounds, Norman came in and was countered. In the sixth and final round, Uddin’s body won.
Referee Peter McCormack scored it 59-56.
Middleweight Aaron Bowen (4-0, 3 KOs) knocked out James Todd (4-4-2) in the fifth round of a scheduled six rounds.
On the tour, Bowen left Todd. In the fifth round, a left to the body ended it.
Super Featherweight Ibraheem ‘Spider’ Sulaimaan (6-0, 4 KOs) defeated Marvin Solano (24-21, 8 KOs) in two rounds of a scheduled six rounds.
In the second round, a left to the body dropped Solano for the full count from Ref Peter McCormack.
Super Middleweight Taylor Bevan (1-0, 1 KO) stopped Greg ‘The Real Deal’ O’Neill (7-9-1, 1 KO) in the second round of the scheduled four rounds.
Bevan scored a pair of strikes in the second round when referee McCormack called a stoppage.
Callum ‘Mundo’ Smith (30-2, 22 KOs) stopped Carlos Galvan (20-15-2, 19 KOs) in the fifth round of the scheduled eight rounds.
In the fifth round, referee Kevin Parker called a stoppage after Smith dropped Galvan twice with left hooks to the body.
The announcer was David Diamante.
