Eggington vs Gavin: Kal Yafai added to Birmingham bill after brother Gamal's injury
Wednesday 19 October 2016 09:07, UK
Kal Yafai admits coming in at short notice is a risk but wants to keep the family flag flying.
The unbeaten super-flyweight has been added to Saturday's card in Birmingham, live on Sky Sports, in an eight-round fight with his opponent yet to be confirmed.
Younger brother Gamal was due to defend his Commonwealth super-bantamweight title against Sean Davis, only to damage ankle ligaments after a nasty fall in the gym on Friday.
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He was finally withdrawn from Saturday's show - topped by Sam Eggington v Frankie Gavin - and although his fight will not be chief support at the Barclaycard Arena, Kal is delighted to be boxing close to home again.
"I am waiting for that big chance but as soon as my team suggested it was good for me to box on Saturday, I just said yes straight away," he told Sky Sports.
Of course it a risk, no matter who you are fighting and for how many rounds, but that is boxing. I need to keep ticking over and I love fighting in Birmingham.
"I would've anyway, but with my brother out, we want one of the family in show. He'd sold quite a few tickets so it'll be good to have our name out there.
"On top of that, it's important to get out there and keep active. I don't know who I am fighting yet, but I am ready to do a professional job.
"Of course it is a risk, no matter who you are fighting and for how many rounds, but that is boxing. I need to keep ticking over and I love fighting in Birmingham."
Kal Yafai (19-0-KO13) has boxed in his hometown for three of his last five fights and has set his sights on the family name topping another big bill in Birmingham.
His younger brother Galal Yafai fought in the opening bout of Rio 2016, while Gamal had been hoping to make the second defence of the Commonwealth super-bantamweight title, only for him to turn his right ankle in training on Friday.
"As soon as I saw it, I thought there was no way he was going to fight with it, but I was just trying to keep him going, keep his mood up and keep thinking positive," said Kal.
"It looked painful and I mean really painful. He was struggling to breathe it was that bad, but he tried everything he could to fight on Saturday.
"It is just one of those things but he will be back, don't worry about that."
Watch Kal Yafai in action before Sam Eggington v Frankie Gavin live on Sky Sports 2, from 8pm on Saturday.
