Sunny Edwards v Galal Yafai - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainers, records & more

We analyse the credentials and statistics of Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai as the two British flyweight stars gear up for their intriguing bill-topping showdown in Birmingham this weekend.

Almost a decade ago, Sunny Edwards defeated Galal Yafai in an amateur contest and in the intervening years, each went on to have great success.

Yafai represented Team GB at two Olympic Games, winning gold at Tokyo 2020, but whilst his rival opted to remain in the unpaid ranks, Sunny Edwards turned pro.

In 2021, ‘Showtime’ reached the pinnacle of the sport, beating Moruti Mthalane to capture the IBF flyweight title, and four successful defences followed before he lost his strap to Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.

On Saturday 30th November, they meet once more, at Resorts World Arena, in Birmingham.

It's a must-win fight for both as a loss would put paid to a title shot in the near future, and the big question leading into fight night is who will prevail?

Before we find out the answer, it's time to look at the Sunny Edwards v Galal Yafai 'Tale of the Tape'.

Sunny Edwards v Galal Yafai - Tale of the Tape

	Sunny Edwards	Galal Yafai
Age:	28	31
Nickname:	'Showtime'	N/A
Height:	5ft 3ins	5ft 4ins
Reach:	60ins	68ins
Weight:	Flyweight	Flyweight
Trainer:	Grant Smith	Rob McCracken
Record:	21-1 (4 KOs)	8-0 (6 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won (TD) v Adrien Curiel (June 2024)	Won (TKO) v Sergio Orozco Oliva (Sep 2024)

Sunny Edwards - In Profile

Love him, or loathe him, you have to respect Sunny Edwards.

‘Showtime’ is one of the most skilful boxers in Britain, and despite often having physical disadvantages, the Sheffield-based fighter tends to win with consummate ease.

His footwork, feints and timing are the key to his success, however, against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, he met an equally gifted fighter, who was naturally bigger.

The American’s reach advantage posed problems; Edwards was unable to box on the outside as he normally would. Instead, he was forced to stand his ground against a bigger puncher.

The concern for Edwards is that he could find himself in a similar situation against Yafai, who has longer arms and a harder shot.

However, it is equally possible that former world champion’s experience will be the pivotal factor.

Edwards has already defeated quality opponents such as Moruti Mthalane, Muhammad Waseem, Felix Alvarado and Adrian Curiel, and success in Birmingham this weekend would add Galal Yafai's name to that list.

Victory won't enhance Edwards’ reputation as much as it would for his rival, but Edwards has never been one to backdown from a challenge.

He will hope that history will repeat itself.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Timing	Lack of knockout power
Footwork	Can move back in straight lines
Use of feints	Can be outworked
Upper body movement	Open to straight punches

Galal Yafai - In Profile

Galal Yafai is in a hurry, and rightly so, because as a 31-year-old flyweight, time is not on his side.

While heavyweights can remain at the top of the division into their late 30s, that is not the case for fighters in lower weight classes.

After an extensive amateur career, which peaked with Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, the Birmingham native turned professional in 2022.

Traditionally, fighters enter the paid ranks in four or six-rounders, against journeymen looking to survive. That luxury was not afforded to Yafai, who went straight in to a 10-round fight against a capable opponent.

For the most part, he’s had things all his own way over his first eight bouts, despite being fast-tracked.

It is unlikely that will be the case against Edwards. The former world champion is slick, tricky and still regarded as one of the best flyweights on the planet.

It is a sign of confidence that Yafai and his team are willing to take this fight at such an early stage of his career, and there are reasons for the southpaw to believe he is ready: he is powerful, applies pressure and is well-schooled.

However, it could be a case of too much, too soon.

He has only been in to the second half of a fight twice, and has never been beyond the 10th round.

This fight is a big risk. Yet, victory would bring great reward; leaving him well-placed for a title shot.

If Yafai is successful, it will be the most impressive win by a British boxer this year.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Work rate	Neglects jab when closing the distance
Applies pressure	Lack of head movement
Body shots	Heads come close together
Power	Lack of experience