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Dominating his opponent, two-weight World champion Luis Concepcion, on Saturday night, Kal Yafai was crowned the WBA Super-Flyweight king at the Manchester Arena. Landing the fight on the cards with scores of 119-108 120-108 117-110, Yafai became Birmingham’s first World champion since Owen Moran 109 years ago.
The title was only on the line for the Brit as Concepcion failed to make the weight at Friday’s weigh-in. Yafai took the chance with both hands, underlining his dominance with a knockout in the tenth round.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s going to take a while to sink in. I knew I was going to do it, it was just a matter of how. I just did what I needed to do, got through it. I still feel that I have a lot more in me and plenty more to give, this win will take me up to another level now.”
“I always knew I was capable of a win like that. I really didn’t think he was that great in there, I felt from round one that I was winning the rounds comfortably, doing what I needed to do and making sure that I had plenty in the tank in the championship rounds.”
“He was tough and physical but he wasn’t as strong as I thought he would b on the inside and he didn’t punch as hard as I thought he would. He had decent power, but not the power that I thought he would.”
“Every Olympian and Olympic champion wants to become a World champion – I missed out on the Olympics but this is amazing and I’ve had a great payday – but this is more than any payday you could ever give me.”
“I could have been moved quicker really, I’ve had injuries and we’ve had to wait for the big fights. I think it has come at the right time though and the proof was in the win tonight. I’ve boxed a two-weight World champion and I’ve won very comfortably.”
“I feel that I won near enough every round. I did a lot of good things but I did some bad things but I’ll correct them and get back in the gym after Christmas.”
“I can’t wait to headline in Birmingham as a World champion, my hands are a bit sore so I might be out for a little bit, but the second I can get in the gym will be back working and getting ready to defend this belt for the first time.”
