Yafai vs Frank – DAZN – Aug. 19 – 2 pm ET

Birmingham’s Utilita Arena is where all the action will be on August 19. Thanks to Matchroom Boxing, the NXTGEN card is set to light up the boxing world in UK again. And guess who’s headlining? Birmingham’s pride and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion, Galal Yafai. He’s set to defend his WBC International Flyweight Title against Tommy Frank. What’s more, fans worldwide can catch this explosive match live on DAZN.

Galal Yafai’s professional record is quite the spectacle. Undefeated with four victories, and three of those being knockouts. Yafai claimed the WBC International title during his very first professional match at London’s renowned O2. Since then, he’s successfully defended it at globally recognized arenas like Madison Square Garden, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, and once again at The O2 earlier this year.

YAFAI – FRANK START TIME

• Date: Saturday, August 19
• Time: 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET
• Main event ringwalks (approx): 10 p.m. BST / 5 p.m. ET
• The fight will take place at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England.
• The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe
• The event is set to get underway at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 10:33 p.m. BST / 5:33 p.m. ET.

Tommy Frank, the challenger hailing from Sheffield, isn’t one to be taken lightly either. Despite a recent loss to Jay Harris, which concluded in a dramatic tenth-round stoppage, Frank’s credentials are noteworthy. Boasting 15 wins and holding titles such as Central Area, Commonwealth, WBC International Silver, and IBO Intercontinental Flyweight, he’s now gunning to overthrow Yafai. A win here would open doors to bigger challenges in the Flyweight realm.

In the space of a year, Yafai has transitioned from being a fresh professional to headlining events. How does that feel? “It’s good, you know. I take everybody as a common, try not to look too into the future,” he explained toI IFL TV. Taking the importance out of fights and approaching each bout with a calm demeanor appears to be his modus operandi. And what about this fight, you might wonder?

“It’s just another fight. I’ll do what I gotta do.”

When asked about facing fellow Brit, Tommy Frank, Yafai’s answer was candid, sprinkled with a dash of humor. “I don’t know why him, I didn’t pick him. But do I think he’d be a test? What do you think?” he quipped. It’s evident that Yafai doesn’t let opponent choices or perceptions deter him.

“Hopefully he’s not a test. But it depends on how I perform.”

Tommy Frank, known on the domestic scene and a recognized contender, has made claims of Yafai overlooking him. Yafai’s response?

“Talking is not for me. Boxing isn’t like football. I get to box on Saturday.”

Yafai’s horizon isn’t limited to just the next fight. He’s aiming for world titles, with a clear game plan in mind. “I don’t overlook anyone, but I look through them.” A thought-provoking sentiment, isn’t it? For him, the fight’s difficulty is a perception, “If it’s an easy fight, people say you weren’t credible, and if I make it hard, then I’m not good.”

When prodded about potential matchups, Yafai’s perspective was crystal clear. “I want to fight for experience and to win a world title. I don’t really give a [care] about the name.”

Having moved around the world, from New York to Abu Dhabi, Yafai’s no stranger to diverse arenas.

“I like going away sometimes,” he stated. But fighting in Birmingham, his hometown, is close to his heart. “It’s nice to fight here. My family, friends… it’s nice to put on a performance out there.”

Could Yafai be the flag bearer for Birmingham boxing?

“Hopefully. My brother started it. I’m an Olympic champion, so I expect that pressure.”

Yafai concludes, “I do my talking in the ring. People can expect [a great performance] when they come out and see me.”

But that’s not all the evening promises.

Cyrus Pattinson, a rising Welterweight talent from Alnwick, is someone to keep an eye on. Fresh off a stellar win against Chris Jenkins that handed him the WBA International Title, he’s now preparing to face Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker. Pattinson’s aim? Continue his winning streak in the 147lbs division.

Heavyweight hopeful Solomon Dacres of Warley is another one to watch. After a quick two-round finish of Robert Ismay earlier this year, he’s surely bringing his A-game. Plus, a rematch between Jordan Flynn of Oxford and Birmingham’s very own Kane Baker is on the cards. They’re vying for the English Super-Featherweight Title, adding to the electric atmosphere.

And there’s more! Super-Lightweight Khaleel Majid from Bolton, Coventry’s Middleweight talent Aaron Bowen, and Muhammad Ali, a Bantamweight sensation from Leicester, are all set to showcase their skills. Not to forget, Birmingham pugilists Sahil Khan and Ibraheem Sulaimaan will be stepping into the professional arena for the first time.

YAFAI – FRANK FIGHT CARD

• ALL TIMES ARE LOCAL

  16:30 DOORS OPEN
  16:50 LIVE ON BEFORE THE BELL 

  4 x 3 mins International Super-Bantamweight contest 
  MUHAMMAD ALI 123.5 lbs v FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ 122.7 lbs
  (Leicestershire, England)      (Alfacar, Spain)

  followed by

  4 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest
  SAHIL KHAN 122.2 lbs v SEAN JACKSON 120.9 lbs
  (Birmingham, England)   (Manchester, England)

  followed by

  6 x 3 mins International Middleweight contest
  AARON BOWEN 162.9 lbs v WILMER BARON 165.3 lbs
  (Coventry, England)               (Arboletes, Colombia)

  followed by

  4 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest
  IBRAHEEM SULAIMAN 136.4 lbs v MICHEL GONXHE 136.5 lbs
  (Birmingham, England)                    (Karlsruhe, Germany)

  19:00 LIVE ON DAZN

  followed by

  10 x 3 mins English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator
  JORDAN FLYNN 129.6 lbs v KANE BAKER 129.8 lbs
  (Oxford, England)                 (Birmingham, England)

  followed by

  8 x 3 mins international Super-Lightweight contest
  KHALEEL MAJID 142.6 lbs v ALESSANDRO FERSULA 141.2 lbs
  (Bolton, England)                   (Rome, Italy)  

  followed by

  10 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
  SOLOMON DACRES 239.7 lbs v CHRIS THOMPSON 238.1 lbs
  (Birmingham, England)                 (Gauteng, South Africa)  

  followed by 

  10 x 3 mins WBA International Welterweight Title 
  CYRUS PATTINSON 146.5 lbs v CONAH WALKER 146.9 lbs
  (Alnwick, England)                     (Wolverhampton, England)

  followed by

  10 x 3 mins WBC International Flyweight Title
  GALAL YAFAI 111.8 lbs v TOMMY FRANK 111.5 lbs
  (Birmingham, England)    (Sheffield, England)