Yafai, lengthy touted as a future world champion after gathering gold on the 2020 Olympics, didn’t take the chance to take in the cheers from the vast majority of the 5,000 in attendance in his house metropolis of Birmingham as he raced down the ramp and into the ring.
Some have questioned the standard of his earlier opponents and there was little doubt that dealing with Edwards was an enormous step up, however he exuded confidence from the primary bell and overwhelmed his rival for each second of each spherical.
Each fighters promised fireworks within the build-up however just one managed to ship on that promise, with Yafai exploding out of the blocks.
Yafai, combating in Birmingham for the primary time since August 2023, displayed the total catalogue of photographs, working head and physique seamlessly and denying Edwards any respiration house within the ring.
Edwards may very well be heard telling his coach “I do not need to be right here” in between rounds.
He struggled to search out his rhythm and when he did handle to land heavy with a proper, Yafai stopped, shook his head and smiled.
The pair each come from combating households with Edwards’ brother Charlie a earlier holder of the WBC flyweight belt, whereas Yafai’s brothers Kal and Gamal had been WBA super-flyweight and European super-bantamweight champions respectively.
There was rigidity between their siblings, with Charlie, Kal and Gamal concerned in a number of public disputes, together with all through battle week and within the locker room within the hours earlier than the principle occasion.
However the relationship between Sunny and Galal has all the time been respectful and that was evident on the finish of fifth after they touched gloves and nodded at one another.
The motion was lastly halted within the sixth when Edwards was backed up on the ropes and unable to reply again with a flurry of punches touchdown on his head.
“I had the very best camp I may – I used to be anxious about what Sunny may do to me,” Yafai instructed BBC Radio 5 Dwell.
“No matter Sunny decides to do, he has been the person for a few years now. I’ve regarded as much as him.
“Sunny is somebody I’ve all the time needed to beat. I knew I used to be higher. He has been an incredible advocate.”
