Having shocked the world in March 2017 with a majority-decision victory over former pound-for-pound contender and WBC super-flyweight world champion “Chocolatito” Román González, and later knocking him out in a rematch, Sor Rungvisai has become the biggest name in the division. In February the Thai beat Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada. A win for Kal Yafai over Sor Rungvisai would announce the Brit as the main man in the 115lbs division and quickly put himself in pound-for-pound discussion.
2. Jerwin Ancajas
If Yafai is to look for a unification bout, Filipino Jerwin Ancajas could become an option. The 26-year-old captured the IBF 115lbs strap by beating Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo and familiarised himself to the UK audience in November 2017 after dismantling Belfast’s Jamie Conlan in six rounds to defend his title.
Still a prominent name and arguably most well-known fighter in the division, a win over Gonzalez would announce Yafai on the world stage. Chocolatito was pencilled in for a May 5 showdown with former light-flyweight world champion Pedro Guevara however problems with a work visa halted his return. With Gonzalez ready to bounce back from defeat and already ranked one in the WBA (the title Yafai holds) this match-up could be easily negotiated.
4. Donnie Nietes
Three-weight world champion Donnie Nietes takes on the relatively unknown fellow Filipino Aston Palicte on August 18, for the WBO super-flyweight world title. Nietes is aged 36 and moving up from flyweight having previously competed at light-fly and even minimum weight. Promoter Eddie Hearn and Yafai will fancy themselves against an ageing and smaller Nietes or Palicte with the chance to unify also at hand.
5. Charlie Edwards
Having recently vacated the British title in search of a bigger fight, Charlie Edwards has made Yafai the target. The two exchanged words in a heated confrontation after Edwards won in February and Hearn who promotes both boxers admitted his desire to make the fight happen. Yafai responded by claiming he was not interested in the fight citing he was looking for bigger names.
