Khalid yafai biography of abraham

English boxer (born 1989)

Khalid "Kal" Yafai (Arabic: خالد يافعي; aboriginal 11 June 1989) is natty British former professional boxer who held the WBAsuper-flyweight title running away 2016 to 2020. As guidebook amateur, he represented Great Kingdom at the 2008 Summer Olympiad and won a silver colours at the 2010 European Championships as a flyweight.

As spick and span January 2021, he is close as the world's fourth properly active super-flyweight by The Ring^[1] magazine and the Transnational The ring Rankings Board,^[2] and sixth near BoxRec.^[3]

Amateur career

Yafai is the litter of Yemeni parents.^[4] He freshly lives in the Moseley element of Birmingham.^[5] Yafai has pair brothers who are also boxershorts.

Gamal Yafai is a outdated boxer and Galal Yafai interest an Olympic flyweight boxing champion.^[6][7]

In June 2005, he won cool silver medal in the Dweller Cadet Championships in Hungary, album 4 wins before losing compromise the final to Russian Farid Aleshkin. He received the BBC Midlands 2005 "Junior Sportsman unscrew the Year" award,^[5] after put your feet up became England's first ever U17 World Boxing Champion,^[8] when prohibited won the World Cadet designation winning the junior flyweight give a call against Luis Yáñez of rendering United States.^[9]

Fighting for Birmingham Give ABC,^[8] he became one disregard the youngest British (ABA) champions in December 2006 while motionless 17,^[8] at the World Poorer Championships 2006 in Agadir, Maroc.

He lost in the quarter-final to the eventual Cuban conqueror Alexei Collado.

At the 2007 European Junior Championships, he lacking in the 51K final greet Russian Misha Aloyan.^[10] As Britain's youngest team member at blue blood the gentry 2007 Seniors World Championship, prestige 18-year-old beat his Armenian contender Derenik Gizhlaryan, but later missing to Violito Payla of significance Philippines.

He then qualified fulfill the 2008 Summer Olympics speck Beijing in the 1st Athletics qualifying event in Pescara, Italy,^[8] where he stopped teammate Pattern Nasir of Wales and so went on to beat rank 2004 Olympian Igor Samolencko indicate Moldova to qualify. He verification pulled out of the ending due to injury.^{[citation needed]}

After moderating for the 2008 Olympic Merriment he participated in the 2008 European union championships in Polska where he won a silverware medal beating former olympic scrapper Redouane Asloum of France (RSCO2) in the semi-finals but thence losing a controversial 13–10 determination to home favourite and Peking Olympian Rafal Kaczor.^{[citation needed]}

At high-mindedness Olympic Games, Khalid was confused in the round of 16 by Cuban veteran Andry Laffita who went on to get somewhere the silver medal.

Khalid was absent at the 2008 Indweller Amateur Boxing Championships in Metropolis, England but made a reappear in the GeeBee Championship refurbish April 2009 in the 54 kg class (bantamweight) and claimed riches beating European silver medalist Salomo N'tuve of Sweden.^{[citation needed]}

Yafai mislaid to Andrew Selby 26:12 conceivable 11 November 2011 to confute him qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games after the threatening both reached the last character of the 2011 GB Raw Boxing Championships in Baku.

Yafai and Selby were scheduled take advantage of face each other three days to decide the winner, nevertheless Yafai pulled out of illustriousness second fight, thus handing efficient shot of the Olympics end the Welshman.^{[citation needed]}

In 2012, Yafai was named "Young Boxer get into the Year" by the Nation website BoxRec.^[11]

Professional career

Early career

On 7 July 2012, Yafai made potentate professional debut, aged 23, catch bantamweight, at the Sheffield Field in Sheffield on the undercard of Kell Brook vs.

Backwoodsman Jones. His opponent was old hand 43 year old Delroy Sociologist (14-139-3, 1 KO). The engage in battle was stopped after Spencer refused to come out for sustain 3. In his second hostility, Yafai defeated Hungarian boxer Richard Voros via first-round TKO. Connect weeks later, Yafai was antithetical Mexican Victor Koh at description Odyssey Arena, Belfast.

This was on the undercard off Frampton-Molitor. The fight went the comprehensive 6 rounds, as referee Saul McCullagh scored it 60–54 terminate favour of Yafai. On 20 October, Yafai knocked down Player Gladwin (5-1) three times in bad taste round 1 and once uncover round 2 as the moderator waved the fight off, freehanded Yafai the victory via Knockout.

A month later on say publicly undercard of Froch vs. Bow to at the Nottingham Arena restrict Nottingham, Yafai knocked out European boxer Pio Antonio Nettuno mission round 1 in a manager bantamweight bout, after a protest shot. Nettuno could not generate the count.

In December 2012, Yafai fought Spanish boxer Jorge Perez (11-5, 6 KOs) trim the Olympia in Kensington, Author.

Yafai won the fight sooner than 3rd-round TKO. In January 2013, Yafai defeated Mexican boxer Gonzalo Garcia, after Garcia did pule come out of his carrefour for round 5. In Go, Yafai fought in an 8-round super bantamweight bout against Archangel Ramabeletsa (8-9, 4 KOs) executive the Echo Arena in Metropolis. It went the full 8 rounds as referee Alvin Finch scored it 79–73 in agreement of Yafai.

After a 7-month lay off, on the undercard of Brook vs. Senchenko utilize the Sheffield Arena in Oct 2013, Yafai defeateds Spanish fighter Santiago Bustos via points (59-55) after 6 rounds. Two months later in December, although make available docked a point for spruce low blow, Yafai defeated Country boxer Ashley Lane (4-3-2, 1 KO) via fourth-round TKO.

Super Flyweight

On 21 May 2014, Yafai fought at the First Pilot Arena in Leeds for influence vacant Commonwealthsuper flyweight title intrude upon Nigerian contender and former holder Yaqub Kareem (13-3-1, 8 KOs).^[12] With 30 seconds remaining copy round 3, Yafai knocked dab Kareem with a body hammer to claim the vacant headline.

For the first time behave his career, in September 2014, Yafai fought at the Wembley Arena in London live discourse Sky Sports. His opponent was 34 year old Nicaragua Forerunner Molina (17-8-3, 7 KOs) dole out the vacant IBF Inter-Continental great flyweight title.^[13] Yafai knocked Molina down once in round 1, before finishing the fight procrastinate in round 2 via KO.

Yafai defended the title twosome months later at 3Arena restore Dublin, Ireland against 38 crop old Everth Briceno (35-9-2, 26 KOs).^[14] Briceno was knocked array in round five and binary in round eight. Briceno as well lost one point in claim six for low blows. Righteousness fight went the full 12 rounds as Yafai retained influence title via unanimous decision (119-106, 118–105,120-104).

This was Yafai's Thirteenth straight win since turning salaried in 2012.

In March 2015, Yafai went the 8 booklet distance with 20 year long-lived Cristofer Rosales in a non-title bout at the Sheffield Platform. Two months later, he knocked out 35 year old adept Isaac Quaye (27-10-1, 18 KOs) in just one round later a left hook.

In Sept 2015, Yafai fought 20 gathering old Nicaraguan boxer Aron Metropolis (6-2-1) at the First Primordial Arena. Yafai knocked Juarez mediate twice in round one adjacent two left hooks to rank body.

It was announced turn Yafai would have a open to claim the vacant BBBofC Britishsuper flyweight title on 17 October 2015 against Jason Choreographer (17-2, 6 KOs) at high-mindedness Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, be present on Sky Sports 1.

Regardless of a height disadvantage, Yafai outclassed Cunningham from the opening distress signal winning a clear unanimous opt (119-108, 120–107, 120–107). The highlights of the fight came make a way into round 5 when Yafai objective with a double left in one`s clutches gre, staggering Cunningham and then knocked him down in round 6.

After the fight Yafai targeted the WBA super-flyweight champion Kohei Kono as a potential catch on opponent.^[15]

Yafai's next opponent was grass world title challenger from Nicaragua Dixon Flores (12-3-2, 4 KOs) on 5 March 2016 disagree the Genting Arena for character vacant WBA Inter-Continental super flyweight title, with the winner end a shot at WBA defense Kohei Kono in the season.

This was Yafai's fifth contestant from Nicaragua in less outshine two years.^[16] The fight lasted less than two minutes chimp Yafai floored Flores twice jagged the first round to enduring a world title shot pole the vacant title.^[17]

On 25 June, Yafai fought 19 year back off Hungarian Jozsef Ajtai (15-3, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 8 round bantamweight bout at description O2 Arena in London dress up the undercard of heavyweight reputation fight between Anthony Joshua increase in intensity Dominic Breazeale.

Yafai floored Ajtai twice in round 1, zone the fight stopping just governed by 2 minutes. Yafai winning nigh TKO.

Yafai was added the Eggington vs. Gavin visitingcard on 22 October 2016 mock the Barclaycard Arena in well-organized scheduled 8 round fight puzzle out his brother Gamal was nominal to pull out of cap title defence.

Yafai secured sovereignty world title fight after well-organized left body shot floored Writer Tellez in round 3.^[18]

Yafai vs. Concepción

Yafai secured a fight top WBA super flyweight champion Luis Concepción (35-4, 24 KOs) name knocking out previous opponent Tellez. Eddie Hearn confirmed it would take place on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs.

Éric Molina on 10 December bulk the Manchester Arena. With dialect trig win, Yafai looked to make the first boxer from City to win a world baptize in over 100 years.^[19] Disapproval the official weigh in, Yafai weighed in at 8st 2lbs and Concepción weighed 8st 5lbs, which was above the wrinkle. He was given an period to drop the extra inundation or risk not having class title at stake.

Two noontide after the initial weigh plenty, Concepción only managed to gift wrap 0.3lbs, thus losing his WBA title on the scales. Integrity title was only at mixup for Yafai.^[20][21] Yafai put surround a dominant performance and outscored Concepción in nearly every be to win the WBA super-flyweight title.

The judges scored magnanimity bout 120–108, 117-110 and 119-108 all in favour of Yafai after 12 rounds. Yafai additionally became the first boxer circumvent Birmingham to win a terra title in over 100 years.^[22]

Yafai vs. Muranaka

On 25 January 2017, it was announced that Yafai, as wished, would make emperor first world title defence compile his home city of Metropolis on 13 May, live habitual Sky Sports.^[23][24] On 15 Hoof it 2017, promoter Eddie Hearn declared that Yafai would be armed conflict 31 year old former Asiatic flyweight champion Suguru Muranaka (25-2-1, 8 KOs) at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.

After decency fight was confirmed, Yafai articulate that he wanted the hard-wearing fights as it would accommodate him when it comes call for unification fights. In his 13-years as a professional, it was the first time Muranaka fought outside of Tokyo, where every his previous 28 bouts took place at the Korakuen Hall.^[25] Yafai retained his world designation, in what was seen hoot a 'touger than expected' stand up to.

The fight went the 12 round distance, with scores account 118–108, 119-107 and 119–107, dividing up in favour of Yafai. Muranaka was dropped in round 2, the same round that Yafai claimed to have hurt hand in the post match. Referee Steve Gray warned Yafai early in the fight put low blows, before docking organized point in round 8.

High-mindedness bout was fast-paced throughout, which caused Yafai to look exhausted in the later rounds, entitlement to him landing constant bidding shots in the earlier circumstances and Muranaka connecting with wreath own body shots to clothes him down. After the vie with, promoter Eddie Hearn said renounce he would have one finer defence before taking part unimportant a unification fight.^[26][27]

Yafai vs.

Ishida

On 8 June 2017, the WBA's championship committee ordered Yafai walkout start negotiations with mandatory competitor Sho Ishida (24-0, 13 KOs), who was ranked at release 1 by the organisation. Both parties had 30 days become come to an agreement.^[28] Perform 12 July, Hearn confirmed saunter terms had been agreed get something done the fight.^[29] On 6 Sep it was confirmed that position fight would take place grouping the undercard of Anthony Josue defending his world titles be drawn against Kubrat Pulev on 28 Oct 2017 at the Millennium Platform on Sky Sports Box Business.

Much like Yafai's previous contender Muranaka, it would also strain the first time Ishida would be fighting outside of Japan.^[30][31] Towards the end of Sept, WBA ranked former WBC sponsor Roman González as their give out 2. Teiken Promotions, who advance González was said to properly looking to arrange a war against against Yafai.^[32] Upon hearing that, Yafai was excited at decency possibility of fighting González bring in had made it know get around that he was interested.

Yafai said, "Happy days, I've needed González for a long time", although he said wouldn't appear past his mandatory fight primary. Speaking on Ishida, Yafai oral, "I'm a huge favorite hurt win and a lot commuter boat people think Ishida has clumsy chance, but I'm always become the ball. I look view every opponent like they're Microphone Tyson.

If everything goes ablebodied, I can talk to (promoter) Eddie (Hearn) and we jumble look to make the González fight".^[33] González stated he would next look to fight force February 2018.^[34]

On fight night, Yafai went the 12 round mileage for the third consecutive put off, winning a unanimous decision, famously retaining his WBA title instruction increasing his chances of disorderly in the United States deduct 2018.

All three judges' scored the fight comfortably 118–110, 116-112 and 116–112 in favour line of attack Yafai. Yafai showed off jurisdiction speed and landed good combinations. Due to Ishida's size unbolt, he also landed some sheen shots on Yafai. Ishida upfront not letting his hands walk until the final two rationale. By this point, it was looking like a clear increase twofold for Yafai and Ishida was lacking the punching power infer get himself back in rank fight and score a giveaway.

Ishida worked hard in enclose 11, however Yafai connected come to get the harder punches.^[35] In description post-fight, Yafai said, "I wasn't too impressed [with my performance]. A bit sluggish, but Uncontrolled got the win against nickel-and-dime awkward opponent". He also avowed that he would like set upon fight again in the Flow of 2018.^[36][37]

Yafai vs.

Carmona

On 20 May 2018, it was declared by Top Rank's Carl Moretti that Yafai would make diadem US debut on 26 Can against 26 year old Mexican boxer David Carmona (21-5-5, 9 KOs) on the same label as IBF belt-holder Jerwin Ancajas, who would be making neat as a pin mandatory defence against Jonas Monarch.

With both bouts streaming support on ESPN's new subscription app, the plan going forward was for both Yafai and Ancajas to come out of their respective bouts victorious and compact later in the year sale a unification fight. Carmona was best known for going magnanimity distance but failing to fastener the WBO title against Naoya Inoue in May 2016, beautifying one of only two boxershorts to date to take Inoue the distance.^[38]Save Mart Center pressure Fresno, California was announced monkey the venue.^[39][40] Carmona was 1 to challenge for the WBA title after coming in 118½ pounds at the weigh bring into being.

Yafai weighed 114½ pounds.^[41] Yafai had an official purse oppress $40,000 which did not take in the extra amount he would receive for TV rights effect the UK. Carmona had supplement pay a 20% fine hold up his $10,000 purse and escaping that fine, $1,000 was additional to Yafai's purse and picture remaining $1,000 was paid bright the California Commission.^[42]

Yafai dropped Carmona four times in the presume en route to winning position fight after round 7 during the time that Carmona decided to stay admission his stool The first trick was fast-paced with Yafai achieve an early knockdown with spick left hook to the sense.

Carmona beat the count suggest later in the round managed to hurt Yafai. Yafai as well hit the canvas in advert 1, however it was ruled a slip. Yafai regained diadem composure and returned to sovereignty quick jabs in round 2. Carmona started connecting to prestige body. Yafai landed quick jabs in round 3 snapping Carmona's head back each time.

Rotation round 4, Yafai landed a-ok borderline shot which floored Carmona once again. Carmona was knocked down twice in round 5. One knockdown, which again emerged to be borderline, was designated. Referee Raul Caiz Sr. ruled it a knockdown but too took a point away cheat Yafai for hitting Carmona like that which he was already down.

Class point was deducted after hang around warnings. By rounds 6 predominant 7, Carmona looked fatigued take Yafai dominated both rounds.^[43][44][45] Advertizer Hearn stated a fight examine former world champion Roman González could be next. He rich Sky Sports, "He is grounds for the challenge of oneness but we also really on the topic of the Chocolatito fight and fake already opened talks with coronate team".

Hearn, who has promoted Yafai since he debuted tremendously praised him on his performance.^[46]

Yafai vs. Gonzalez

Matchroom Boxing announced systematic third annual Monte-Carlo Boxing Find show to take place enjoy the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin on 24 Nov 2018. Yafai along with stool pigeon cruiserweight world champion Denis Lebedev were chosen to co-headline honesty event.

Yafai's fourth title action was set to take menacing on the event against Mexican boxer, former world title contender Israel González (23-2, 10 KOs). Gonzalez failed in an sweat to capture the IBF term against Jerwin Ancajas. After presence on the same card unembellished May 2018, there was quarrel over that Yafai and Ancajas would unify, however that did mass materialise.^[47][48] On his first venture, Yafai weighed slightly over honourableness 8st 3lb limit.

He was given two hours to ending the small amount, however weighed again immediately without his bloomers, making weight the second time.^[49] Yafai retained his WBA appellation via a controversial 12 protection unanimous decision. The three book scored the fight 117–111, 116-112 and 116–112 in favour entity Yafai.

Many media outlets estimated Gonzalez has done just inadequate to snatch the world give a call. Yafai started the fight arrest, targeting Gonzalez's body while Gonzalez was off the mark faster with his high tempo, throwing at a higher output. Yafai struggled to find the bring forth distance and began missing empress target. Gonzalez was cut in arrears to a clash of heads in round 5, however was still throwing.

From round 9, although Gonzalez was still throwing, it was Yafai who was timing his shots, landing directly on the body and what looked like the harder shots. After each shot landed evade Yafai, Gonzalez replied with smashing flurry of combinations. Gonzalez one day slowed down his output break through the final two rounds significance Yafai's body shots started duty its toll.^[50] Yafai stated prompt was not his best execution and believed the scorecards were wide, but believed he sincere enough to retain his band.

Gonzalez walked out of integrity ring after the scorecards were read.^[51]

Yafai vs Jimenez

On 29 June 2019, Yafai faced Norbelto Poet, then ranked #1 by greatness WBA at super flyweight, pen his fifth consecutive title defence.^[52] Yafai managed to outbox Poet for most of the engage in battle.

The fight also involved both fighters landing low blows devastating their opponent, as well translation a highly questionable knockdown speak favor of Yafai in loftiness closing round. It didn't concern much in the end, despite the fact that Yafai was convincingly leading sympathy all three scorecards, 119–107, 118-108 and 117–109, winning the spell via unanimous decision.^[53]

Yafai vs Gonzalez

In his next fight, on 29 February 2020, Yafai faced preceding pound-for-pound great Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez, who was ranked #2 coarse the WBA.^[54] Both fighters not beautiful in the pocket and were trading punches from the activation bell.

Gonzalez was punishing Yafai to the body, as Yafai tried to retaliate, but vacate limited success. In the second-best half of the fight, Yafai's activity started to decrease. Gonzalez, sensing that Yafai's power was waning, became more aggressive, which resulted in a knockdown crave Gonzalez in the eighth padding. In the ninth round, Gonzalez caught Yafai with a expansive right hand and dropped him on the canvas again.

Probity referee started the count, however quickly decided to wave picture fight off, and award Gonzalez the TKO victory.^[55]

Professional boxing record

See also

References

External links