Yafai's world title tilt postponed after injury

Image source, ReutersImage caption,

Galal Yafai made his professional debut in 2022

ByBobbie JacksonBBC Sport journalist

Published1 hour ago

Galal Yafai's bout with unified flyweight world champion Ricardo Sandoval has been postponed after the Briton sustained an injury in training.

It is the second time the 6 June card in Sheffield has lost its headliner, after British WBC light-welterweight champion Dalton Smith pulled out of his defence against Alberto Puello through injury.

Yafai, 33, has not fought since losing to Francisco Rodriguez Jr in June - although the result was overturned to a no-contest after the Mexican failed a drugs test.

The Birmingham fighter, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, is undefeated in 10 fights as a professional - with seven of his nine victories coming inside the distance.

Next month's event at Utilita Arena will still go ahead, with Josh Padley's European super-featherweight title defence against Aqib Fiaz now topping the bill.

Elsewhere on the undercard, undefeated teenage heavyweight Leo Atang fights in his native Yorkshire, with fellow unbeaten rising stars Adam Maca and Connor Mitchell also in action.

Coventry middleweight Aaron Bowen takes on Troy Coleman, while Ibraheem Sulaimaan faces Ibrahim Nadim for the English super-featherweight belt.