Crolla's Column: Family Feud
In recent weeks, the boxing world seems to have been dominated by talk of a certain 58-year-old legend fighting a youtuber, so it is fantastic to now focus on a real belter this weekend.
Sunny Edwards against Galal Yafai is a brilliant match-up and a fight that is unbelievably hard to call. In my gym, it is split right down the middle with half picking Edwards and the other side convinced it’ll go Yafai’s way. That tells its own story. It has it all – incredibly gifted fighters from true fighting families. A bit of needle too!
I really wouldn’t be surprised with any outcome with this one. Is it too much, too soon for Galal who has only had eight fights? Can Sunny keep Galal off him? He has an amazing engine, is strong and hits hard. It’s Sunny’s first fight away from his long-time trainer Grant Smith – will that be a factor?
Galal is looking to join a very elite club of those who have won Olympic gold and become a world champion in the pro ranks. James DeGale and Anthony Joshua managed it in recent times, but there aren’t many from the GB set-up to do it! He’s been matched hard, and he’s come through every test to date.
It's an unbelievable contrast of styles. Can Galal wear down the defensive, elusive brilliance of Sunny Edwards? It’s a great fight. They’re both following big brothers who have been world champions, and they are two great boxing families. My mates the Smiths have achieved incredible think and are often regarded as the number one boxing family, but the Edwards and Yafai brothers are right up there. They are phenomenal.
I just wonder if it is too much at this stage for Yafai. If really pushed, I have to go with Sunny Edwards with a tight points decision. I think he’ll come under a lot of pressure late on, and it might be controversial, but I can see him just nicking it. It is not with any confidence I say that mind you!
On a personal note, last Friday night was disappointing for me and my fighter Levi Kinsiona who came up short against Ben Marksby in Newcastle. It’s boxing! He got beaten to the punch and that was that. It was going to shape up to be a good fight, we knew Ben would start fast and every credit to him. Levi has said he’s going to call it a day – it’s too tough a game when you’re working full-time as well. He’s also got a baby girl and there have been times where he’s had to bring her to the gym and feed her between sessions! It just shows how dedicated he’s been.
Finally, I have another boxer in action this weekend with James Moorcroft in a 50/50 fight with Dom Hunt. James knows that if it goes wrong for him on Saturday night, he might look at hanging the gloves up. He needs to get the win which would put him right in the frame for a shot at the English title. There is a lot riding on this. He has trained very hard for what will be a tough fight.
It's going to be a very busy time in the run-up to Christmas and I really love this time of the year. There are some great fight nights to look forward to, so hopefully we’ll enjoy a fantastic end to the year.
