Ahead of Kal Yafai?s clash with the unbeaten Japanese fighter, Sho Ishida, in Cardiff last night, the WBA champion knew a win could open up a route to fighting in the US.
On the back of that promise, Yafai produced a quality display against Ishida to retain his world title with a unanimous points decision with the scores being announced as:
? 116 – 112
? 118 ? 110
? 116 ? 112
all in favour of Yafai.
Against Ishida, who arrived with a record of 24 wins from 24 fights Yafai used his superior speed of punch to pile up the points. Ishida, four inches taller than Yafai, used his longer reach to work at range and catch Yafai with some head-shots.
Yafai though, stuck to his game-plan and worked to the body of Ishida and as we entered the last round the Japanese fighter knew he needed a knockout to win, Ishida finished strongly but the win was Yafai?s.
After the victory, Yafai will be looking towards a unification fight in the US.
Kal Yafai retains WBA super-flyweight title
