On August 19, the NXTGEN card, presented by Matchroom Boxing, will take center stage at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena. Defending his WBC International Flyweight Title is none other than Birmingham’s homegrown talent and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion, Galal Yafai. He faces off against Tommy Frank in a battle broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
Since turning professional, Yafai’s record has been nothing short of impressive. He’s undefeated with four wins, three of them by knockout.
YAFAI VS 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.
Yafai’s journey to the WBC International title was meteoric, winning it on his professional debut in London’s iconic O2. He subsequently defended it across the globe in venues as illustrious as Madison Square Garden, Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and once more at The O2 this past April.
His challenger, Sheffield’s Tommy Frank, comes off a loss in his last fight to Jay Harris, in a thrilling contest that ended with a tenth-round stoppage. Despite this setback, Frank’s resume is still commendable. With 15 victories, he is a former holder of the Central Area, Commonwealth, WBC International Silver, and IBO Intercontinental Flyweight titles. Frank now seeks to upset Yafai and claim the biggest win of his career – a victory that would put him in line for other high-profile bouts in the Flyweight division.
Galal Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs defending his WBC International Flyweight Title against Tommy Frank): “Thank you all for being here. While Birmingham is home, Sheffield has been my training ground. It’s been a decade since I last competed here, and I’m eager to give my fans a memorable bout this Saturday. From Russians and Kazakhs to Mexicans, I’ve faced many on the world stage. Tommy, whom I’ve known and watched, is indeed talented. But I feel a hint of underestimation on their side, viewing me perhaps more as an amateur than a seasoned pro. Come Saturday, I aim to change that narrative. While I have the caliber, what I need is experience. Let’s see if Tommy can challenge me enough to bring that out. Every elite sportsperson battles pressure, and I thrive on it.”
Tommy Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs challenging Galal Yafai for the WBC International Flyweight Title): “This match is a game-changer for me. Facing an Olympic gold medallist and a WBC International Title holder, like Galal, is an honor. He’s seasoned, coming from a lineage of boxers, making him one of the most skilled opponents I’ll face. However, I firmly believe in destiny. Even after my last defeat, this opportunity came my way, reiterating that every challenge is a door to a bigger opportunity. My goal isn’t just to win but to ensure I make such an impression that you, Eddie Hearn, will want me back for more bouts.”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport:
“Gratitude to both Jordan and Darren for setting the stage. Here we are, in Birmingham, on the cusp of an electrifying NXTGEN event. These nights don’t just entertain; they forge the future of British boxing, showcasing talents that will soon shimmer on the global arena. Birmingham has been calling out for more such events. Reflecting back, it’s been half a decade since our last visit for the unforgettable Amir Khan-Samuel Vargas bout. Today, we turn the page to a fresh chapter – the era of the next-gen warriors. It’s upon these young athletes to uphold and amplify the legacy of British boxing. Looking back at Matchroom’s illustrious journey with legends like Anthony Joshua, Tony Bellew, and Carl Froch—oh, and not forgetting today marks the 10th anniversary of Darren Barker’s iconic victory of the IBF Middleweight World Title. A moment of applause for him. Knowing Darren, he’s a bit humble when reminiscing this day. The torch is now in the hands of our young prospects. They have the stage, the spotlight, and the moment to etch their names into history. This weekend, on the global streaming of DAZN, Birmingham’s own Olympic gold medallist, Galal Yafai, will stride forward towards more World Title dreams. The card also features spectacular bouts including Cyrus Pattinson vs. Conah Walker. And let’s not overlook Sol Dacres, a potential heavyweight titan on both national and global fronts. So much awaits us!”
Other promising fighters on the card include rising Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson from Alnwick. He’s coming off a convincing victory over Chris Jenkins in his last fight, earning him the WBA International Title. The 29-year-old looks to continue his ascent in the 147lbs division against Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker.
Solomon Dacres, a Heavyweight contender from Warley, hopes to continue his momentum following a two-round demolition of Robert Ismay earlier this year. Jordan Flynn from Oxford and Birmingham’s Kane Baker are set for a rematch in an eliminator for the English Super-Featherweight Title, adding another layer of excitement to the evening.
There’s plenty more action to look forward to, including Bolton’s Super-Lightweight Khaleel Majid, Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen, and Leicester Bantamweight prospect Muhammad Ali. Making their professional debuts are Birmingham boxers Sahil Khan and Ibraheem Sulaimaan.
Tickets for Yafai vs. Frank are available, priced at £40, £60, £120 and £200 for VIP.
YAFAI VS FRANK FIGHT CARD
16:30 – Doors Open
16:50 – Live On Before The Bell
International Super-Bantamweight Contest (4 x 3 mins)
Muhammad Ali 123.5 lbs (Leicestershire, England) vs. Francisco Rodriguez 122.7 lbs (Alfacar, Spain)
Bantamweight Contest (4 x 3 mins)
Sahil Khan 122.2 lbs (Birmingham, England) vs. Sean Jackson 120.9 lbs (Manchester, England)
International Middleweight Contest (6 x 3 mins)
Aaron Bowen 162.9 lbs (Coventry, England) vs. Wilmer Baron 165.3 lbs (Arboletes, Colombia)
International Lightweight Contest (4 x 3 mins)
Ibraheem Sulaiman 136.4 lbs (Birmingham, England) vs. Michel Gonxhe 136.5 lbs (Karlsruhe, Germany)
19:00 – Live On DAZN
English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator (10 x 3 mins)
Jordan Flynn 129.6 lbs (Oxford, England) vs. Kane Baker 129.8 lbs (Birmingham, England)
International Super-Lightweight Contest (8 x 3 mins)
Khaleel Majid 142.6 lbs (Bolton, England) vs. Alessandro Fersula 141.2 lbs (Rome, Italy)
International Heavyweight Contest (10 x 3 mins)
Solomon Dacres 239.7 lbs (Birmingham, England) vs. Chris Thompson 238.1 lbs (Gauteng, South Africa)
WBA International Welterweight Title (10 x 3 mins)
Cyrus Pattinson 146.5 lbs (Alnwick, England) vs. Conah Walker 146.9 lbs (Wolverhampton, England)
WBC International Flyweight Title (10 x 3 mins)
Galal Yafai 111.8 lbs (Birmingham, England) vs. Tommy Frank 111.5 lbs (Sheffield, England)