Thirty-two-year-old Brummie Galal Yafai took his record to six without defeat at the Desert Diamond Arena Glendale USA (16.12.23). Yafai took on a very game opponent in thirty-six-year-old Rocco Santomauro in a ten-round contest for Yafai’s WBC International Flyweight title. Santomauro has won twenty-two out of his twenty-four fights coming into this contest and weighed in the same as Yafai seven stone thirteen with Chris Flores reffing.
Santomauro started the first round well looking to land big shots, Yafai used good footwork and fast hands to hand some great shots but Santomauro just edged the round. Yafai came out fast in the second landing some fast sharp combinations landing cracking lead right hook that shook Santomauro, Yafai continued to land great combinations getting around Santomauro guard with nice hooks winning the round. Yafai continued his good work in the third but Santomauro was making a fight of it landing good shots of his own, Yafai won the round with the cleaner shots.
Great movement and shot picking as he controlled the fourth with slick shots, Santomauro continued to try and fought back hard but Yafai was in full control. Santomauro sustained a cut above
his left eye. Great back hands from Yafai in the fifth as he moved well landing nice combinations winning the round with ease. Santomauro continued to battle hard but Yafai was moving and working well using his speed landing nice shots.
Santomauro landed some great back hands and was still making a fight of it in the seventh, Yafai landing the eye-catching shots to win the round. Santomauro started the eighth pressing Yafai and landing some good shots, but Yafai was putting on a boxing master class picking hood shots and moving well winning the round, Yafai stepped it up in the ninth landing great shots and great movement Santomauro landed a great right hand right at the end of the round. Yafai continued the master class landing great shots and nice combinations as Santomauro looked to land a big shot to end it which never came.
Judge Steve Gray scored it 98 to 93, Dennis O'Connell scored it 97 to 93 and Jesse Reyes scored it 99 to 91 all in favour of Yafai. I had it 99 to 91 Yafai.
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great performance by Galal Yafai, he impressed in every round and made a tough fight on paper look very easy. Santomauro had a very credible record and had fought at the highest level but Yafai’s movement and shot-picking made it look like an easy night for the Birmingham boxer. Santomauro fought hard and kept it competitive but Yafai showcased why the Olympic gold medallist is being fast-tracked to a world title. On this performance, he is on the cusp of getting that big title fight. After Sunny Edwards was defeated on the top of the bill of this show and lost his world title I think that could be the fight and the test Yafai needs to prove he is ready for a world title shot. Yafai v Edwards would be an easy fight to make as they are both promoted by Matchroom and would be a great 50-50 contest. Yafai is looking for the real deal and he has all the credentials to be a world champion in the next few years.
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