Preview of Kal Yafai's WBA title defence against Suguru Muranaka live on Sky Sports
Saturday 13 May 2017 21:11, UK
Kal Yafai is hoping for a triumphant homecoming when he defends his WBA super-flyweight title against Suguru Muranaka this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Background
The unbeaten 27-year-old was crowned as the new WBA champion in December following a masterful points win over Luis Concepcion in Manchester.
Yafai makes his first WBA title defence in front of his hometown fans at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, but could receive a stern test from his Japanese opponent Muranaka, who has not suffered a defeat since 2006.
Live Fight Night
Victory will keep Yafai on course for possible unification clashes in the future, while Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez is also part of an exciting division and has been called out by the Midlands man this week.
Standing in Yafai's way will be Muranaka, a determined challenger, and the WBA champion will be keen to send out a warning to his rivals with an emphatic victory.
What the fighter says
What the promoter says
What our experts say
I think Kal gets the knockout this weekend because he's fast and he's got power. The opponent is not coming to lie down, he'll have ambition.
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
Kal's opponent has an exciting style and it makes for a really good fight, but I can see Yafai breaking him down and looking for a great stoppage win.
What his brother says
The weigh-in
Kal Yafai: 8st 2lbs 6oz
Suguru Muranaka: 8st 2lbs 3oz
The time draws near...
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.
