Britain’s Khalid Yafai and Jay Harris travel to Texas where world title bouts await

Heavyweight boxing has stolen the show in recent weeks, but there are intriguing bouts in lower weight classes this weekend

Khalid Yafai is a pocket-sized puncher with a humble attitude (Getty)

Two British fighters compete in world title bouts this weekend, with both Khalid Yafai and Jay Harris making the long trip to Frisco, Texas to compete for the ultimate boxing honour.

The lighter weight classes in British boxing tend to be ignored at times in comparison to the heavier categories, but super flyweight Yafai and flyweight Harris will each be attempting to buck the trend in Texas and take their success back to the UK.

26-0 across an eight-year professional career, Yafai has held the WBA super fly world title since 2016, but has failed to secure significant fandom despite his reign. The 30-year-old has struggled in recent defences and hasn’t fought in the UK in over two years.

While the Birmingham fighter has an approach that lacks box-office entertainment, it’s still a surprise that Yafai has been forced to fight overseas to make a living rather than continuing to establish a base in the Midlands.

Saturday’s fight represents a perfect opportunity for Yafai to turn on the style as he defends his belt against Roman Gonzalez, a fighter at one point considered to be among the best in the world.

Now 32, the Nicaraguan won his first 46 professional fights and won world titles in four weight classes. Between 2015 and 2017, Gonzalez was ranked as the world’s best active boxer by Ring Magazine and had begun to amass a passionate fanbase in the United States.

All was going well for Gonzalez until he lost a narrow decision to Thailand’s Wisaksil Wangek in March 2017. The loss was a shock as not only did Gonzalez concede his WBC super fly title, but also his glorious undefeated record. Later that year, Wangek knocked out Gonzalez in the rematch to leave the boxing world wondering if the latter’s career at the top level was over.

The man known as ‘Chocolatito​’ has won his two comeback fights, however, and even in his past-prime condition still represents the hardest test of Yafai’s career. We know what we’re going to get from Gonzalez, passion in every punch and a come-forward aggression that will make every second of the fight uncomfortable for Yafai.

You just cannot relax around Gonzalez and it’s not just the pressure that is challenging, but the power. Gonzalez has stopped 40 opponents in his career with a variety of different shots setting up the stoppages. Yafai has looked uncomfortable in recent fights as the level has increased and the offence has developed from his opponents.

Yafai has a stinging jab of his own, but it’s his movement and dynamism that will win him this fight rather than power. The Brit has only stopped one of his past six opponents, and though Gonzalez is smaller and older, his tenacity and grit should see him withstand heavy hits.

This is a fight that will be won by either poise or power – if Yafai can get a good start and establish control, the flurries and aggression of Gonzalez will become easier to spot. But if he’s buzzed early and relinquishes his skill, a torrid night could be in store for the reigning champion.

If Yafai’s attempt to hold onto his world title is challenging, for Jay Harris, his quest to become WBC flyweight champion is even more daunting. The 29-year-old Welshman faces Mexico’s Julio Cesar Martinez in Texas and will be praying for an Alamo-esque miracle in the bout.

17-0, Harris has a solid undefeated record, but has barely boxed above journeyman level throughout his career. A stoppage victory over Paddy Barnes in his last fight was entertaining, but Barnes’ struggles in the professional game have been well documented.

Martinez represents a formidable task to overhaul. The Mexican knocked out hot prospect Andrew Selby in March 2019, before destroying former WBC champion Charlie Edwards five months later in London. Though Martinez stopped Edwards, the bout was changed immediately to a no contest due to an alleged low blow, although Edwards vacated the title shortly after.

Another destructive victory over Cristofer Rosales earned Martinez the WBC belt in December and he makes his first defence against Harris. The bookmakers have Martinez as an overwhelming favourite, with Harris’ own promoter Eddie Hearn declaring the Welshman to be in for “a treacherous night” in Texas.

It’s hard to disagree. Since losing his debut fight via split decision in 2015, Martinez has destroyed his opponents and has only gotten better as the level has increased. For Harris, his best options are to cover up and try and weather the early storm, but that’s easier said than done against such an intense rival.

Expect an early victory for the Mexican, who will already be looking ahead to a future unification showdown with Japan’s Kosei Tanaka later this year.