Galal Yafai is “frustrated” that he isn’t getting the credit he believes he deserves for Sunny Edwards’ retirement.
The 31-year-old won every minute of every round against his flyweight opponent. That was until the referee came to help Edwards in the 6th round.
Edwards’ only previous loss – to talented Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in December 2023 – has played a part in him being widely expected to win in Birmingham. England in November
since then Rodriguez-Edwards It was cited as a reason Edwards was unreliable against Yafai, who proved more dominant than Rodriguez. Edwards was heard telling his angle at the end of the second round that he wasn’t. “Want to be in it” recently split with his long-term trainer, Grant Smith, and post-fight announcement that he had decided to retire “win, lose or draw” may provide additional reason to question his performance. Him, and also Yafai.
Regardless, Yafai expects to be rewarded by challenging WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji in 2025, but he told BoxingScene: “It’s really frustrating. I work very hard I did something that a lot of people (most people) thought I couldn’t do. And I did it in a way that they never thought possible. It was almost to the point where they could accept that I had beaten Sonny. Edwards went six rounds. And there must be something wrong.
“It was a great night beating old enemy Sonny – and do you know what else it showed me? There are really a lot of people who rate him. Really giving him points, many people couldn’t come to terms with the fact that he was easily beaten. So there are a lot of excuses. ‘He’s not mentally correct. He’s not at his best’ when he’s fine. Like when he fought Adrian Curiel (in June), my victory was a little tainted and it was only 11 months ago before he fought ‘Bam’ (Jesse Rodriguez). is a gift from God So my victory was not pretty. But hopefully I can prove in time that I’m just as good. that other people don’t think I am
“I don’t want to disrespect Sunny. Because we’re okay. We get along, we’re fine with each other, but he’s a smart kid. Comments after the second round made headlines. Which is really crazy. Because smart people like Sunny know that you shouldn’t say things like that when the cameras are on you. I don’t know if he meant it or if he really felt that way. But he’s smarter than people think. It’s really stupid. If you’re struggling in a battle and don’t want to be there. You don’t say it out loud for everyone to hear, because the whole camp is fine.
“I forget things. Lots of things to talk about during camp. And even when I fought in Sheffield to warm up and people kicked me out. Sunny was still on the call. And he was like ‘Why did he fight him?’ in his interview He will do this and fight Kenshiro Teraji and win all the belts. And suddenly he was in a fight. I was rising to the top and it was, ‘I don’t want to be’ here anymore.’ Are you serious? He came out after that. he was injured and have colic and not really interested in boxing We all have colic. I had an injection in my elbow 12 days before the fight, it is what it is. you get on with it I just don’t think he’ll accept that I beat him so easily.”
Edwards, 28, defeated Yafai when they were still amateurs at Tokyo 2020 when Edwards was the professional world champion. Yafai won the gold medal in the flyweight division.
“People will say, ‘You’re biased,’ which of course I understand,” he continued. “That’s why I try not to say too much. I’m not going to lie, it’s an easy battle. I don’t want to disrespect Sunny. But it was a very easy fight. But I trained harder than I had ever trained. I can’t say, ‘I’m better than (Rodriguez) because I beat him easier’ because I beat Sonny. Edwards a year later I know it wasn’t four, five, six years later. He looked good in that last fight, Sonny, and people seem to make excuses for that. ‘Bam made him like this’, but four or five months ago he was fine. He is great.
“He got number one from The Ring magazine. He’s 28. It’s not like he’s four stinking bastards to Bam Rodriguez, who’s 36 and doing fine. Eleven months ago he was the man in the division. Four months ago he entered Curial. He is three or four years younger than me. Excuses are crazy. But people are uncertain. But it is what it is. I will prove it in time, right?”
