Kal Yafai v Suguru Muranaka

[Master]

Kal Yafai: Birmingham fighter prepares for first WBA defence on Saturday

Kal Yafai is preparing to make the first defence of his WBA title defence against Suguru Muranaka on Saturday, with plans to unify the super-flyweight division already on his mind.

Yafai meets 31-year-old Japanese Muranaka in Birmingham.

The 27-year-old became the city's first world champion when he beat Panama's Luis Concepcion in December.

"Unification bouts are very much part of my plan, and sooner rather than later," he said.

"Whatever my team puts in front of me, that's what I'll take. I've got the best team in the business around me who advise me what to do and when to do it, so I listen to them first and foremost.

"But I like to take it all one fight at a time. I've got to concentrate on this fight and then we'll go from there and see what is next."

Muranaka's countryman Naoya Inoue holds the WBO belt, Filipino Jerwin Ancajas is the IBF champion, and Thailand's Wisaksil Wangek claimed the WBC title from Roman Gonzalez in March.

"Ancajas could be the likeliest of unifications, but it depends on when they are available," Yafai added.

"I'd love to fight Gonzalez. Obviously he's the name in the division. In the rematch, which seems to be on the cards, I think he'll beat Wangek convincingly.

"If I had to hold out and have another defence or two before fighting Gonzalez, then I'd do that."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/39891863

[Alpha]

This is a very good fight. Muranaka is a tough customer. His best might have been at 112 but I think he's a live dog in this one.

[Master]

Yafai is from Birmingham so going to have to support the West Midland man. First champion from Birmingham.

[Alpha]

Yafai is from Birmingham so going to have to support the West Midland man. First champion from Birmingham.

Peaky Blinders territory?

[Fenster]

Japanese boxing is so strong in depth at the lower weights, being a national champion has to indicate you're around fringe world-level at the least. They don't seem to travel too well though, although the real standout stars rarely do, for obvious reasons.

Muranaka looks like an entertaining pressure fighter but not a puncher and naturally much smaller than Yafai. Think his style will suit Yafai, who really proved himself against Conception. Muranaka will have to be granite to get through 12 rounds.

Yafai KO - 4/11, RDs 1-6 - 5/2, 7-12 - EVES?

Yafai PTS 5/2 ... Muranaka is granite?

Can't decide whether to bet the 5/2 on Yafai early KO or 5/2 Muranaka is a rock.

[Batman]

Yafai is from Birmingham so going to have to support the West Midland man. First champion from Birmingham.

Peaky Blinders territory?

Aye, the peaky Blinders territory, he's more than like likely a Blue nose than a Villa fan beings that he comes from Edgbaston, I won't hold that against him though.

I'm gunna watch this one and record Josh Warrington

[Batman]

Well, I say I'm watching this one, I'm sorting my dinner out and then I'm planning on finishing my book off, I'm not all that interested in any of the fights tonight so it'll just be on in the background

[Master]

Well, I say I'm watching this one, I'm sorting my dinner out and then I'm planning on finishing my book off, I'm not all that interested in any of the fights tonight so it'll just be on in the background

Tell me when it is on and I can get the kid off the play station.

[Batman]

Well, I say I'm watching this one, I'm sorting my dinner out and then I'm planning on finishing my book off, I'm not all that interested in any of the fights tonight so it'll just be on in the background

Tell me when it is on and I can get the kid off the play station.

Will do, Frankie Gavin is on now, apparently he had to increase the weight 3 or 4 times because he couldn't hit it, they pretty much crucified him in the first few rounds for lacking discipline.

Now he is a Blue nose and I DO hold that against him, the bloke is a cunt, I'm always hearing stories from people who have seen him coming out of the pubs pissed up barely able to walk etc

[Master]

Yafai v Davis is turning into a belter of a fight

[Master]

Davis down 5th round

[Master]

Yafai has an excellent left hook. Davis is tough and brave trying to protect his unbeaten record.

[Batman]

Jesus fuckchrist did anyone else notice the nose on that referee

[Master]

Eggerton v Rodriguez on now

[Master]

Jesus fuckchrist did anyone else notice the nose on that referee

This ref has a claret and blue big nose