Edwards vs Yafai: British Boxing Brings It From Birmingham

The boxing calendar is quiet in the United States on Thanksgiving weekend. Fight fans can give thanks for a solid domestic card out of Manchester, England on Saturday, November 30. Leading the lineup is a flyweight matchup between two men who know each other well, former IBF champion Sunny Edwards and Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai.

Preliminary fights start at 11:15 a.m. ET/8:15 a.m. PT, with the main card getting underway from Birmingham, England at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on DAZN.

Edwards vs Yafai: Grudge Match

Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai make the 112 weight limit for their WBC Interim World Flyweight bout. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

No title is at stake, but British bragging rights are in play, given the history between Edwards and Yafai. They were amateur teammates on Team GB, sparring dozens of rounds. Edwards won the single amateur fight between himself and Yafai. Nevertheless, Yafai was selected for the Olympics, with Edwards moving on to the pro ranks.

Yafai came home to Birmingham with the gold medal. Since then, he has compiled a pro record of seven wins with five knockouts. Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs) won the IBF title in May 2022 and defended the title four times before running into a buzzsaw in American Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez last December.

It was an ugly win for Sunny Edwards over Adrian Curiel, but he'll take it. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Edwards has since won a bout against Adrian Curiel and intends to work his way back toward a championship. Yafai holds the WBC International Flyweight minor title, winning his last fight in September in Sheffield.

Yafai and Edwards were destined to fight each other and settle the score. Americans are more familiar with Edwards due to his clash with Rodriguez and his many appearances in the corner of other fights, as well as his stepping into commentary roles where his larger-than-life personality shines.

No Trash Talk Or Insults

Sunny Edwards expressed his irritation at the press conference being delayed to early evening to avoid a conflict with the Chisora vs Wallin announcement. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

But Edwards and Yafai aren’t engaging in any trash talk or insults. They genuinely like each other and respect each other’s talents, even as both declare he will have his hand raised as the winner on Saturday.

Edwards wasn't happy about a delayed start time for the final pre-fight news conference, delayed to avoid a conflict with the news conference Thursday announcing the heavyweight bout between Derek Chisora and Otto Wallin.

Edwards claimed to be nervous at the final pre-fight news conference, which is hard to believe. He will be working with a new trainer, Chris Williams, for the first time. It’s a big night for Williams, whose most well-known client at his Liverpool gym is UFC star Paddy Pimblett, who Williams trains in boxing skills.

“The problem with the fight from the whole showbiz and entertainment side is that I actually really like Galal,” said Edwards. “I think he’s a great fighter. I think I am better, but he thinks he’s better than me, and that’s why we’re here, to find out.

“We both know that when we get in there, anything can happen. We’re both that good. It’s about who makes the right moves, the right steps, who doesn’t fall into traps, walk onto the wrong shots, it’s elite boxing.”

Sunny Edwards is working with new trainer Chris Williams. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Still, Edwards said he always has confidence in himself. “I don’t accept the idea of losing. Even in the eighth round against Bam, I was still not accepting losing until I listened to my corner at the time who tried to pull me out the round before. I love fighting. This fight excites me the most.

“My favorite fight of my career is the fight I lost because it had the most action in it, so I am looking forward to an action-packed fight against a great competitor in a great city.”

Galal Yafai promises to put on a show for his hometown fans in Birmingham. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Yafai said nearly the same of Edwards. “Sunny is a great fighter, a former world champion, a good name, and we’ve got history as well, which gives a bit more needle in it,” said Yafai, who hopes to put on a great performance for his hometown fans.

“It’s got people interested and it’s not what I am used to, I’ve been going to America and fighting unknown Mexicans, so fighting someone that everyone rates, everyone knows, and we’ll see who the better man is on Saturday.

“I wish I knew how it was going to play out. I’ve been asked that so many times. If I knew what was going to happen, I probably wouldn’t have trained so hard. You’ll have to tune in and watch,” urged Yafai.

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn expects a big crowd thanks to the domestic matchup in the main event, along with a full undercard of regional UK rivalries bringing their fans to Manchester on Saturday.

Welterweight Showdown In Co-Main Event

Conah Walker and Lewis Ritson hype up the crowd during the weigh-in on Friday. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

In the co-main event, welterweight Conah Walker of Wolverhampton (13-3-1, 5 KOs) faces veteran Lewis Ritson of Forest Hall (23-4, 13 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round fight. Ritson is coming off two stoppage losses, while Walker lost his last fight by decision. Both are in a must-win situation to remain viable.

Walker says he respects what Ritson has done but says it’s his time. “I think that his time is done, and my time is here and now … I want those big nights, and I want to bring them to the Midlands, and I want to be traveling and taking the best fights and the titles, but first we’ve got to get through Saturday.”

Ritson says he’s ready and knows Walker will come to fight. “I’m expecting fireworks, really, and a very tough night for both of us,” which means entertainment for the fans.

Commonwealth Title on the Line For Conway and Kelly

Kieron Conway and Ryan Kelly weigh In ahead of their Commonwealth Middleweight Title in Birmingham. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

The vacant Commonwealth title is at stake for Kieron Conway of Northampton (21-3-1, 6 KOs) and Ryan Kelly of Birmingham (19-4-1, 8 KOs).

Conway said when he looked into Kelly’s eyes, he saw a fighter with nothing to lose. “I am aware of that, but equally as dangerous is a man with everything to lose, and that’s me. I’m going to be switched on and looking to put on the performance of a lifetime.”

“I think the fight is going to have a bit of everything in it, and I’ll do my bit to make sure it’s exciting,” said the local fighter Kelly. “It’s a must-win to move on and have a great 2025. I need to go out there and perform.”

Lightweight Action: Vuong vs Gwynne

Keep your eye on lightweight prospect Cameron Vuong.
Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Promising lightweight prospect Cameron Vuong of Blyth, England (6-0, 3 KOs) faces Gavin Gwynne of Treharris, Wales (17-3-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round fight. Gwynne is a former European, Commonwealth, and British champion.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s my toughest test to date, but I’m looking to put on a masterclass and a big performance,” said Vuong.

Gwynne is coming off a loss and didn’t expect to get the call for this fight. “He’s probably thinking that my best days are behind me, I know a lot of people are. But come Saturday night, I am going to throw it back and put on a big performance, a statement one that will chuck me right back into the mix.

“I can always remember my first title fight and I went to places I thought I would never go, and it shows how much you’ve got inside you, and I’ve just got to see if he’s got that.”

Flyweights open the main card on DAZN in a six-round bout. Hamza Uddin of Walsall, England (2-0, 1 KO) fights Benn Norman of Shephed, England (7-5).