Kal Yafai v Suguru Muranaka

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

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.

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

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Originally Posted by Master

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

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Peaky Blinders territory?

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.

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Originally Posted by Alpha

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Originally Posted by Master

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

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Peaky Blinders territory?

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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

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

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Originally Posted by 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

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

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by 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

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

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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

Yafai v Davis is turning into a belter of a fight

Davis down 5th round

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

Jesus fuckchrist did anyone else notice the nose on that referee???

Eggerton v Rodriguez on now

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Originally Posted by Batman

Jesus fuckchrist did anyone else notice the nose on that referee???

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This ref has a claret and blue big nose

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Originally Posted by Batman

Jesus fuckchrist did anyone else notice the nose on that referee???

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He looks like a fucking cartoon character

Sam getting hit a lot and very little head movement. Lost the first round.

Sam landed some big right hands and body shots in 2nd round, he won that round

Eggerton does better when he gets Rodriguez on the ropes. Barry Hearn is a lot nicer person than his son.

These are close and tight rounds. Eggerton must turn up the pressure.

Rodriguez wins 5th round with movement

Close 6th Rodriguez wins when he moves and boxes, Eggerton win round when he pressures and lands on him.

Barn burner round 7! Eggerton nearly stops Rodriguez after getting hurt himself.

Gotta love Eggington, he don't give a fuck he just swings like a mad man when you give him the chance

Sam tired in the 8th round but lands big right hands near the end of the round

Rodriguez wins 9th round just out boxing sam

Sam stops him brutally in the 10th round. The camera men are cunts just taking pictures of Rodriguez knocked out cold.

Tell you what fair fucks to Paulie, after Sam beat him Paulie said that he would do everything he could to help him out and it sounds like he came through on his promise.

Yafai is a cunt and I want him to get brutally sparked out just for this fucking rapping shit that he is making me endure

fucking hellfire what is happening to boxing

Ref looks a miserable Stone face cunt

Yafai starts very fast 1st round.

Muranaka tried to keep up

Muranaka knocked down 2nd round

Yafai is quality, very fast and good power.

Muranaka did well in the 2nd despite the knock down and still trying in the 3rd although getting caught when Yafai goes to work.

This jap is a game little fucker ain't he

Muranaka left hook to the body is dangerous.

Yafai is slowing down now

Yafai was using a high defence guard at the start of the round but let his hands go late in the 5th

Yafai is winning the fight but he has to earn every round

Is Paul Smith still boxing or has he officially retired now?

Point reduction on Kal was rubbish. Kal starting to hurt him now.

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Originally Posted by Batman

Is Paul Smith still boxing or has he officially retired now?

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Still trying and hoping he can win one world title.

Yafai had a point deducted but still was winning the 8th round