Yafai expecting the best version of ‘Chocolatito’

Yafai defends his WBA title this weekend against the former pound-for-pound king.

Undefeated super flyweight titleholder Kal Yafai (26-0, 15 KOs) will be back in action this weekend in Frisco, TX when he’ll defend his WBA strap against Roman Gonzalez (48-2, 40 KOs). Looking ahead to the action, Yafai tells RingTV that’s he’s very much excited for the opportunity to prove himself against Gonazlez, who is a former champion that once sat atop many pound-for-pound lists.

“Obviously, his previous accomplishments [tell you how special he is],” said the defending titleholder without hesitation. “Boxing-wise it’s his engine, his variety and he can punch as well. He’s an exciting fighter to watch.”

But some believe Gonzalez, 32, hasn’t really been the best version of himself ever since moving up from flyweight to super flyweight, where he’s gone 3-2 since late 2016. Yafai, however, isn’t buying into the narrative that Gonzalez is stretching himself too far at this weight class, and says he fully expects Gonzalez to come into this fight fully prepared.

“I’m expecting the best Roman Gonzalez. This is his chance to become world champion again, and if he loses it’s going to be very hard for him to come back. He’s going to come into this fight and give everything he’s got.”

Yafai, 30, would finish by saying confidently predicting that he’ll win this fight, and says beating a legend like Gonzalez will prove a lot of his doubters wrong.