TO the winner goes the spoils, to the loser goes the pension.
It was a stunning revelation from Sunny Edwards last night following his sixth round defeat to Galal Yafai in Birmingham. The former flyweight world champion announced his retirement during the post-fight interview.
While Edwards does not intend to fight again, there are four winners from last night’s card heading into 2025 with titles, greater ambition and options to consider. But who will Galal Yafai, Conah Walker, Kieron Conway and Cameron Vuong be up against next? Boxing news looks to the future…
Galal Yafai is on the verge of his first world title shot. (Getty Images)
Galal Yafai
Yafai, 9-0 (7 KOs), was at his relentless best last night against Edwards, 21-2 (4 KOs). From the opening bell his plan was clear and it worked to a tee. The 31-year-old now holds the WBC Interim flyweight belt which gives him a one-way ticket to a world title shot.
Former long-time lightweight champion Kenshiro Teraji, 24-1 (15 KOs), now holds the WBC flyweight title and a trip to Japan is a trip for Yafai who won Olympic Gold at the delayed 2021 Tokyo Games. Yafai can be convinced, however, to move up to super-flyweight and face WBC champion and generational talent Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Conah Walker. (Image: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Conah Walker
“The Wolf” kept himself in the domestic welterweight division after defeating former British lightweight champion Lewis Ritson, 23-5 (13 KOs). Walker, 14-3-1 (5 KO), should aim to win a major domestic title in 2025 and has certainly done enough to bring the winner of the upcoming British title fight between Harry Scarff, 13-3 (3 KOs). and Liam Taylor, 27-2-1 (14 KOs). The hunt for European champion Samuel Molina, 30-3 (15 KOs), could also be on the agenda. But if none of that piques your interest, imagine how good Walker would be against Ekow Essuman, 21-1 (8 KOs).
Conway now has a British title to look forward to in 2025. (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Kieron Conway
After seeing a potential cash pot in Prizefighter disappear, Kieron Conway, 22-3 (6 KOs), got himself a consolation prize by winning the Commonwealth middleweight title against Ryan Kelly, 19-5-1 (8 KOs ). Conway can now look forward to a British title shot against next week’s winner of Brad Pauls, 19-1-1 (11 KOs) and Denzel Bentley, 20-3-1 (17 KOs). However, with a world title on the horizon, there is every chance the belt will remain vacant. Conway could face Shakiel Thompson, 13-0 (9 KOs), putting not only Lonsdale’s belt on the line, but also Thompson’s top 10 with the WBO.
Vuong and instructor Jamie Moore in conversation. (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Cameron Wong
The 22-year-old found himself in deep water against Gavin Gwynne, 17-4-1 (5 KO), but outlasted the Welsh raider, passing a huge test in just his seventh fight. The result from the result and scorecards leaves a possible rematch against Gwynne as an obvious choice for Vuong, 7-0 (3 KOs). However, going back with the 34-year-old might not be the smartest choice. An aging South American veteran who fought for a world title several years ago, he is the type of opponent to look to British prospects and after last night Vuong’s team will be looking for something simpler in their next match.
