Flyweight Galal Yafai marched on to 5-0 with a first-round stoppage of former British flyweight champion Tommy Frank in his hometown of Birmingham, promoted by Matchroom Boxing at the Utilita Arena. Yafai was headlining his first promotion as a professional following appearances at Madison Square Garden, London's O2 Arena and Abu Dhabi
Yafai, a 2020 gold medalist, was visibly animated as he took to the ring following Tommy Frank’s comment pre-fight, who dismissed Yafai’s achievements in the amateur code of the sport.
From the opening bell, Yafai set out to hurt Frank from the outset and bludgeoned Frank against the ropes and dropped Frank with a long left hook inside the opening forty seconds. A brave Frank got back to his feet, and the onslaught continued from Yafai as Frank attempted to find a space in the ring which was absent from Yafai.
The Dennis Hobson promoted Frank again found himself against the ropes, and Yafai relentlessly targeted the head and body, ultimately forcing referee John Latham to wave off the contest after 1:40 of the opening round.
Immediately post-fight, Yafai said he wanted to target the big names and that he was above the likes of Frank and other fighters at the British level and is targeting the big names.
Eddie Hearn added that he would possibly add Yafai to the December 16th promotion headlined by Jesse Rodriguez & Sunny Edwards in a WBO/WBC world flyweight unification held in Texas.
