Joshua vs Molina: Kal Yafai ready to become super-flyweight world champion and make history
Tuesday 6 December 2016 10:13, UK
Kal Yafai is convinced he will make history by becoming Britain's first super-flyweight world champion.
The unbeaten Birmingham fighter challenges WBA World title holder Luis Concepcion on the undercard of Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina in Manchester on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Yafai will also the be the 'Second City's first world champion for a long time and although he is taking on an experienced title holder in the shape of the Panamanian, the 28-year-old is ready to turn a lifelong dream into reality.
"I am going to make history, 100 per cent, and it's going to be good," he told Sky Sports.
"We've never had a world champion from Britain in the super-fly division so I am going to be the first and will be remembered for a long time.
"I am obviously doing it for Birmingham as well, being the first for god knows how long, over 100 years since we had a world champion at any weight. People came close of course but that would mean the world to me.
"This has been my dream from the moment I walked into the gym 18 years ago. I had a chance to do something at the Olympics in Beijing but I didn't do myself justice, so now I want to put that right, 100 per cent.
"I know what I've got to do. I don't want this one to end in disappointment. I've worked all my life to become a world champion and I do think it's come at the right time. I think this is made for me to win it, it's destiny."
I've worked all my life to become a world champion and I do think it's come at the right time. I think this is made for me to win it, it's destiny.
Yafai has won the European and British titles at 115lbs and worked his way up the WBA rankings but admits this is a huge step up in quality in the shape of Concepcion.
'El Nicra' picked up the WBA World belt in Japan, outpointing Kohei Kono back in August and has challenged Hernan Marquez twice for the flyweight version and pushed Carlos Cuadras all the way fighting for the WBC strap at his new weight.
Yafai won the British and European titles at the first time of asking and admits that this might be the only chance he gets to add the world title to his list.
"I know I've got a job to do on the kid and I know he is a tough kid. I know a lot of people have got this down as a 50-50 so it is really intriguing and something I am really looking forward to.
"To be honest, I would say I am the underdog. Concepcion is two-weight, two-time world champion and I've just come out of the 'prospect zone', where I am 20-0 and now it's time to step up.
"He's been around the block a few times and he's been a pro for 11 years. He's very experienced but I just think I will be a bit too much for him on the night, to quick and too good.
"And I do know if I don't beat Concepcion for a world title I don't think I've got a chance of winning any of the other champions, so I've got to win this.
"That's the feeling I get; this is my chance and I must take it."
Watch Kal Yafai challenge Luis Concepcion for a world title on the undercard of Joshua v Molina, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
