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Gamal Yafai stops Bobby Jenkinson to win Commonwealth super-bantamweight title

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Gamal Yafai beat Bobby Jenkinson to win the Commonwealth super-bantamweight title in Birmingham

Gamal Yafai delivered on his promise and prised the Commonwealth title away from Bobby Jenkinson in seven sensational rounds.

The super-bantamweight star picked up a nasty cut four rounds in but followed up with a blistering show that ended with two knockdowns.

Victory at the Genting Arena, Birmingham, took Yafai to 9-0 but more importantly gave him his first belt and showed the watching boxing world he has the talent to follow in the footsteps of Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg in the future.

The finish itself was clinical and cold, the first knockdown coming from a straight left and the second from a left hook to the body.

Jenkinson was as brave as he was bold but with him struggling to regain his breath, his corner did the sensible thing and threw in the towel.

Gamal Yafai beat Bobby Jenkinson
Image: Gamal Yafai took the Commonwealth title from Bobby Jenkinson

It could have been different three rounds earlier as a nasty clash of heads opened a huge gash over Yafai's left eye, the blood matching the brutality of the opening three rounds.

Yafal had set the tone early on with a jab and the left hand, but Jenkinson rarely took a step back and, even though he was caught on numerous occasions, his right showed why he was the champion.

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In the third, a peach of a left proved Yafai was slowly taking control and once Mick Williamson went to work on the cut at the end of the fourth, there was only going to be one winner.

I knew the cut was bad. He hit me with his head in the fourth and I felt a few stars going round but I'm a warrior and I get through it
Gamal Yafai

In the fifth, the Birmingham boy stayed behind the jab but in the sixth, a three-punch combination showed he still had more to offer.

Then came seventh heaven for Yafai's friends and family - including his brother Kal, who was watching while he was warming up for his world-title eliminator - as the straight left proved to be the the beginning of the end for Jenkinson.

Yafai wasted no time moving in, and several body shots landed, a left to the head and then a right to the ribs that left the champion on his knees as Yafai confirmed he has the determination to match his undoubted talent.

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Gamal Yafai speaks after his seventh round win

"In my last fight, I had a fractured, sprained hand," Yafai told Sky Sports straight after the fight.

"I had injections the week before and it went in the second round. That's why I had a bad performance. I beat a better kid here. He was wincing and I knew he was going.

"I knew the cut was bad. He hit me with his head in the fourth and I felt a few stars going round but I'm a warrior and I get through it."

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