GALAL Yafai looks to extend his scintillating surge, keeping himself in the shop window for a potential shot at WBC world flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji.
The 32-year-old returned to Birmingham, England, towards the end of last year, producing a stunning sixth-round stoppage victory over Sunny Edwards in front of his home fans.
In doing so, the Olympic gold medallist not only defeated a former world champion – and one of the slickest operators in his division – but also claimed the WBC interim strap.
His performance, meanwhile, certainly put the flyweight scene on notice, with Yafai pressurising Edwards from the opening bell in a punishing, one-sided display.
And so, after announcing himself on the world stage in truly destructive fashion, the Brit has now catapulted himself into the mix to face formidable titlist Teraji.
Widely regarded as the top dog at 112 lbs, Teraji cemented his dominance at light-flyweight before becoming a two-division world champion.
In 25 professional outings, the Japanese sensation has suffered just one defeat, losing to Masamichi Yabuki back in 2021 before exacting his revenge with a clinical third-round stoppage.
But regardless of whether he lands an immediate showdown with Teraji, Yafai insists that a shot at world honours remains at the forefront of his mind in 2025.
“Stopping Sunny in round six – no one would have thought that [could happen],” he told Boxing News. “So I’m glad to have done something that no one thought I could do.
“I don’t mind who I fight [next]. I’m always going to be doubted – they said that with Sunny. I’ll always have an uphill battle [to fight], but I don’t really care. As long as I win a world title and get paid, I don’t give a s***.
“I know everyone says that Kenshiro Teraji’s the world champion, and if it’s him next, it’s him next. I just do the training and the fighting.”
While there are four flyweight belt holders to choose from, Yafai’s WBC interim title has presented him with a clear route to face Teraji.
It is likely, however, that the dynamic pressure fighter may be forced to collide with the newly-crowned champion on away soil, returning to Japan for the first time since his Olympic glory in 2021.
But still, while a mouth-watering clash with Teraji remains a viable option for Yafai, his professional career, after just nine fights, could take a slightly different turn, allowing the unbeaten contender to hone his craft for a short while longer.
