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Yafai vs Muranaka: Kal Yafai can target more titles if he defends WBA belt, says Matthew Macklin

Kal Yafai
Image: Kal Yafai defends his WBA super-flyweight title against Suguru Muranaka this Saturday, live on Sky Sports

Kal Yafai should set his sights on the other world champions after sparking a golden era for boxing in Birmingham, says Matthew Macklin.

It should be a great night and Kal being a world champion is brilliant for boxing in Birmingham. Sam Eggington is also coming through the ranks, boxing for a European title after that win over Paulie Malignaggi, and you've got Gamal as well, so boxing is really booming in Birmingham.

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Birmingham over the years has seen great individuals like Rob McCracken, myself and Frankie Gavin, but we've never really got a few really good fighters together at the same time. I don't think Birmingham has ever had this strength in depth, which it has right now.

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Yafai claimed the WBA belt with points win over Luis Concepcion in December

Kal is a class fighter. Ever since he was a youngster, he's been a standout kid, and was in the GB Olympic set-up as a top class amateur.

Turning professional really suited him. He's strong, a good body puncher, and a great boxer with a good jab - he really knows his way around the ring. He's a complete fighter, and he's only getting better. Having won the world title, I think he will find another level to his game and fighting in Birmingham for his first defence - it's fairytale stuff for him.

Now he is won a world title, he will be setting new goals, and will want to bring big nights to Birmingham by attempting to unify the division.
Matthew Macklin

One of the best things about Kal is his self-belief, he totally believes in himself, and rightly so. He's been at a high level from such a young age in the amateurs and since turning professional, he's moved fairly quickly, which is testament to his ability.

Sky Live: Yafai vs Muranaka
Sky Live: Yafai vs Muranaka

Yafai defends WBA title and Sam Eggington targets European belt this Saturday, live on Sky Sports

Now he's won a world title, he will be setting new goals, and will want to bring big nights to Birmingham by attempting to unify the division. Kal will want superstardom now. There are world champions and then there are superstars, and after ticking that box as a world champion, Kal will want to move forward from there.

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Tale of the Tape - Kal Yafai v Suguru Muranaka
Image: Tale of the Tape - Kal Yafai v Suguru Muranaka

For me he did not lose a round when he won a world title, he boxed beautifully, and with the home crowd behind him I think he will put on a great performance in his first defence against Suguru Muranaka.

Watch Kal Yafai vs Suguru Muranaka, Sam Eggington vs Ceferino Rodriguez, and Josh Kelly on this Saturday's Birmingham bill, from 7.30pm on Sky Sports 2.

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