Sunny Edwards has announced his retirement after suffering a sixth-round TKO loss to Galal Yafai on Saturday night at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. The bout, contested for the WBC interim flyweight title, marked a tough end to Edwards’ career. The fight’s turning point came in the fifth round when Yafai pinned Edwards to the ropes, unleashing a flurry of punches that Edwards couldn’t escape. The sixth round brought more of the same, with Yafai’s pressure forcing the referee to intervene at 1:10.
Yafai, 31, established control from the opening bell, landing heavy shots that left Edwards visibly uncomfortable. Edwards struggled to recover and confided in his corner between rounds, saying, "I don’t want to be here." This resignation seemed to carry over as the fight progressed, with Edwards unable to regain the confidence or focus needed to challenge Yafai effectively. The size difference between the two fighters was apparent, with Yafai appearing much larger and physically imposing, a fact that Edwards simply couldn’t overcome.
Watch how Sunny announced his retirement here: Watch
Yafai credited his preparation and respect for Edwards as key factors in his victory. "Sunny is a great champion, and I had to train my a* off for him,"* said Yafai. He acknowledged Edwards’ skills and standing in the sport but was clearly elated to have secured such a significant win. "It was just my night tonight. Maybe on another night, Sunny would have beat me," he added.
Edwards, 28, exits the sport as a former IBF flyweight champion known for his technical brilliance and defensive acumen. However, back-to-back defeats against larger, stronger opponents like Yafai and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez have taken their toll, ultimately leading to his decision to retire. Despite the loss, Edwards leaves behind a legacy as one of the most skilled fighters in the flyweight division.
Read more about Sunny Edwards' career here.
Image Credit: Sky Sports