Galal Yafai is staying grounded about his chances of facing Kenshiro Teraji next, despite securing the WBC interim flyweight title with a dominant sixth-round stoppage of Sunny Edwards in November. While the victory makes Yafai the mandatory challenger for Teraji, the reigning WBC champion, the Birmingham native doubts the fight will materialize immediately.
"If I had to bet, I’d say it’s not happening next," Yafai said. "I leave the decisions to my team, and I’m ready for whatever they line up. Ideally, I’d fight again in March or April, and I’d love for it to be in Birmingham. Fighting at home makes me feel stronger and sharper, but I’m prepared to travel if needed."
Watch Yafai vs. Edwards highlights: Watch
Yafai’s emphatic win over Edwards drew comparisons to Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez’s victory over Edwards in 2023. While speculation is mounting about a potential Yafai vs. Rodriguez showdown, Yafai remains focused on his path at flyweight.
"I want to be the full champion," Yafai said. "If the Bam Rodriguez fight happens in the future, great. He’s a top fighter, and it’d be a fight for the fans. But for now, my priority is to keep moving forward and take on the best at 112 pounds."
Teraji, 32, defended his WBC title in October with a stoppage of Cristofer Rosales, and fans are eager to see if Yafai will get his shot at the Japanese champion in 2024. Until then, Yafai is taking a brief holiday before resuming training and awaiting news from his team.
Read more about Kenshiro Teraji here.
Image Credit: DAZN