Thursday 26 October 2017 16:31, UK
If Kal Yafai overcomes Sho Ishida, the super-flyweight could head stateside to take on one of the division's best, possibly Roman Gonzalez, but is he ready?
'Chocolatito' has now had two really hard fights - the last one, particularly, was a humdinger when he got knocked out badly. He's now got lots of miles on the clock.
He's had a great career and is probably on the decline but he's still a big name, so I'd love to see Kal fight someone like that. If Kal does a number on Gonzalez, it puts him on another level.
Kal's in a tough division, but he's an exciting fighter, a big puncher and is very good to watch. I would like to see him go overseas to defend his title and try and nick another, that is the way he can become really big.
Gonzalez used to be right there in the pound-for-pound list but now having lost twice, do you lose interest? It's a tough and risky one, is it high risk with little reward? It's a very tough fight and if he wins, which I think Kal would, people will just say 'Chocolatito' was past it.
It's a tough one at super-fly because you do your apprenticeship very quickly, so experience-wise going in with Gonzalez will always be a very tough ask, even if Kal had 10 or 15 more fights under his belt. Is it too early, probably, but he probably has to jump in at the deep end.
I don't think he has the options out there to get the experience that he would need to get him perfectly ready from this point. I do think Kal can hold his own, he's a great little fighter and we will see some great performances over the years, Gonzalez though would be a tough ask right away after this one.
There are so many good fighters down at that weight, I would be happy to see him take on anyone. 'Chocolatito' was the biggest name but I am not sure what he's lost in those two defeats to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, in himself and in his standing.
Like I say, there are plenty of big names for Yafai to take on and right now, you'd give him a real good chance against Gonzalez, but I would rather see the Nicaraguan have a fight first to see if he's still got it after those two defeats because I am not sure if he will be mentally stable and can compete at that level - and especially the weight.
I actually believe it's a no-win situation if he does get Gonzalez, on the back of those two bad defeats. But I do think Kal is up there with the best in that division and I do actually think he would win and outbox 'Chocolatito'. He is one the best boxers Britain's got. There's nothing he can't do.
He's good on the offence, good on the defence, a brilliant counter-puncher who doesn't waste anything, but because he doesn't bang on or talk trash, he goes under the radar. I'd love to see one of those tournaments down at super-fly.
He's beaten a good fighter already in winning the title. Once you pull out a big win like that, you're in there, you're a world champ so why not mix with the other elite. I'm not saying he will be the best man in the division, it's a very tough division, but they're all fighting each other - go and join the party.
Take on Gonzalez, Roman's best days are behind him. He has called Yafai out and that would be a super-fight for Kal and a win would be massive for the Brit's career. Gonzalez's best days are behind him but he certainly isn't shot, he lost to a very good fighter twice. Can Yafai add to that and prove he is in that league? I think the timing is right.
Kal is ready, fighters need that challenge and they need that finishing line. This is a great goal for Kal because you need that step up.
Every fighter's dream to be fighting out there in the States, it's a big deal. All eyes are on the super-flyweight division right now and of course Kal can fit the bill and join the starring cast.
