To the winner goes the spoils, to the loser goes retirement.
It was a surprising revelation from Sunny Edwards last night following his sixth round defeat to Galal Yafai in Birmingham. The former world flyweight champion announced his retirement during a post-fight interview.
While Edwards has no plans to fight again, there are four winners from last night’s card heading into 2025 with titles, greater ambition and options to consider. But who will Galal Yafai, Kona Walker, Kieron Conway and Cameron Vuong be up against next? Boxing News looking to the future…
Galal Jafai is on the verge of winning his first world title. (Getty Images)
Galal Yafai
Jafai, 9-0 (7 KOs), was at his tireless best last night against Edwards, 21-2 (4 KOs). From the opening bell his plan was clear and he succeeded until the end. The 31-year-old now holds the WBC interim flyweight belt which gives him a one-way ticket to a world title shot.
Former long-time welterweight champion Kenshiro Teraji, 24-1 (15 KOs), now holds the WBC flyweight title, and Yafai, who won Olympic gold at the postponed Tokyo 2021 Games, is beckoning a trip to Japan. Jafai may be convinced, however, to move up to super flyweight and fight WBC champion and generational talent Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Conach Walker. (Image: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Conach Walker
‘Wolf’ has retained the domestic welterweight title after defeating former British lightweight champion Lewis Ritson 23-5 (13 KOs). Walker, 14-3-1 (5 KOs), should aim to win a major domestic title in 2025 and has certainly done enough to lead to the winner of the upcoming British title fight between Harry Scarfe, 13-3 (3 KOs ), and Liam Taylor, 27-2-1 (14 KOs). A hunt for European champion Samuel Molina, 30-3 (15 KOs), could also be on the agenda. But if none of that piques your interest, imagine how good Walker would be against Ekov Esuman, 21-1 (8 KOs).
Conway now has a shot at a British title shot in 2025. (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Kieron Conway
After seeing the potential money in Prizefighter disappear, Kieron Conway, 22-3 (6 KOs), got a consolation prize by winning the Commonwealth middleweight title against Ryan Kelly, 19-5-1 (8 KOs). Conway can now look forward to a British title shot against next week’s winner, Brad Pauls, 19-1-1 (11 KOs), and Denzel Bentley, 20-3-1 (17 KOs). However, with a world title on the horizon, there is a good chance the belt could remain vacant. Conway could instead face Shakiel Thompson, 13-0 (9 KOs), which would put not only Lonsdale’s belt on the line, but also Thompson’s top 10 in the WBO rankings.
Vuong and coach Jamie Moore in conversation. (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Cameron Vuong
The 22-year-old found himself in deep water against Gavin Gwynn, 17-4-1 (5 KOs), but survived the marauding Welshman, passing a huge test in just his seventh fight. The fallout from the score and results leaves a potential rematch against Gwinn as an obvious option for Vuong, 7-0 (3 KOs). However, going back with the 34-year-old might not be the smartest option. The aging, battered South American veteran who fought for a world title a few years ago is the type of opponent we see with the British prospect and after last night, Vuong’s team will be looking for something simpler in his next match.