Kal Yafai (26-0 15 KOs) retained his WBA World Super-Flyweight title in a rough and tumble affair with mandatory challenger Norbelto Jimenez (29-9-4 16 KOs).
Yafai wobbled the challenger in the second round, who then had a point taken off for holding in the fourth round of a tough first half for the Dominican Republic man. Jimenez battled hard for the full session despite being felled by a low blow in eighth, and he was then floored by a cuffing left hook with 30 seconds left.
Yafai prevailed 119-107, 118-108 and 117-109 on the scorecards, and immediately implored promoter Eddie Hearn to land a big name next – with Hearn’s new signing, WBC and Ring Magazine ruler Juan Francisco Estrada at the top of his list.
“I want that fight,” said Yafai. “I want all the big fights. All the big guys. I love that fight. But any of them: Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Roman Gonzalez, Kazuto Ioka. I want the big fights.
“I am struggling to hear right now. I perforated both of my eardrums. It wasn’t easy, fighting in front of a very hostile crowd. I have a bone to pick with Eddie Hearn, my promotor, he put my fight in the United States for the second time. I am fighting in Providence, but little did I know that it is full of Dominicans! It’s all good. I won easily. Now on to the big fight. I want Rungvisai, Estrada, Chocolatito. Those kinds of guys must be next.
“My hands and my ears hurt. I am hearing double right now. It’s echoing in my ears. No excuses though, I won easily on the cards. I am not getting a ton of love here but thanks to all the Dominican fans who came out. Providence has welcomed me very nicely for the last two weeks, maybe not tonight though. I could see double vision in my eyes, too, from the blood dripping in my eyes. This is my first time being cut. So yeah, learned a lot of things tonight.”
Source: Matchroom Boxing [Press Release]