Round-By-Round - Kal Yafai (c) vs. Suguru Muranaka - May 13th 2017

[Horse]

Should Yafai be taking a bit of power off his punches now?

[gilgamesh]

Probably wouldn't hurt as far as pacing himself goes. Doesn't look like this guy is gonna be going down anytime soon.

[jameswilson]

Never heard or seen this Muranaka guy but I am expecting a typical Japanese boxer. Aggressive pressure fighter with no power. Should be an easy Yafai win.

That may be he Japanese fighter that is bought over as an opponent over here but with all the World champs they have I don't think you can say their fighters lack power.

Naoya Inoue carries serious power in Yafais weight class

Shinsuke Yamanaka the lineal bantam weight champion carries ridiculous power in his straight left hand

Stephane Jamoye who beat Haskins and gave Jamie McDonnell a hard distance fight years back got lifted clean off his feet with one punch by Yamanaka in their fight.

[Neil Gee]

Has Yafai ever been forced to maintain a pace like this for 12 rounds? If not this could get interesting down the stretch. It's a shutout for Yafai at the time being though.

[handsofstone]

Would like to see Yafai work the head more, these body shots are just bouncing off the sides, there seems to be more reaction from Muranaka when Kal hits him upstairs especially with the left hook

[gilgamesh]

Maybe the body shots are more effective on Muranaka than they appeared. Muranaka definitely eased up a bit in that last round, and I'll bet the body shots had something to do with that.

[Neil Gee]

Great fight Muranaka! I'm a fan. But Y is coming through this with credit.

[MightyWarrior]

I don't think Yafai likes some of those body shot either

[Tarkus]

Should Yafai be taking a bit of power off his punches now?

I think so. He needs to focus on boxing rather then punching I think.

[gilgamesh]

Should Yafai be taking a bit of power off his punches now?

I think so. He needs to focus on boxing rather then punching I think.

Seems like he can do as he pleases just about. Muranaka doesn't have the pop to hang with him. Damn if he ain't trying though.

[Andrew]

Been watching Warrington

Is this fight any good ?

[handsofstone]

I feel quite bad but I haven't gave Muranaka a round yet, he's definitely having his moments though

[Andrew]

That may be he Japanese fighter that is bought over as an opponent over here but with all the World champs they have I don't think you can say their fighters lack power.

Naoya Inoue carries serious power in Yafais weight class

Shinsuke Yamanaka the lineal bantam weight champion carries ridiculous power in his straight left hand

Stephane Jamoye who beat Haskins and gave Jamie McDonnell a hard distance fight years back got lifted clean off his feet with one punch by Yamanaka in their fight.

That was a savage beat down that fight.first time I've watched Yamanaka

[Horse]

Smith talking crap.

[DannyMCR]

Smith talking crap.

The surprised tone in his voice when Murunaka lands anything is terrible. It's like he's meant to lose

[Neil Gee]

Great round. Yafia's coming through a hard test tonight.

[gilgamesh]

I feel quite bad but I haven't gave Muranaka a round yet, he's definitely having his moments though

Don't feel bad. Muranaka hasn't won a round yet.

[Tarkus]

This Japs are built differently I am telling you, both physically mentally. When you think his legs are gone thats when he starts his best rallies.

[Neil Gee]

Fair play to Yafai, he's had to dig deep and he's had no problem with that. Brave fight from Suguru Muranaka though. Wow!

[gilgamesh]

Muranaka as brave as they come, I almost scored the 11th for him, but ultimately I just couldn't give him any rounds as Yafai just kept landing the better shots.

to Muranaka though. What heart!

119-107 Khalid Yafai

[Neil Gee]

Good fight.

[Neil Gee]

Wide. Well done Yafia.

[sammy95]

119-107 is a fair scorecard, but isn't even close to the full story.

[Neil Gee]

119-107 is a fair scorecard, but isn't even close to the full story.

Exactly.

[jameswilson]

Fair play to Yafai, he's had to dig deep and he's had no problem with that. Brave fight from Suguru Muranaka though. Wow!

I think these guys would be better workouts than the Ghanians who everyone fawns over as teak tough. With the Japanese they force you to fight at pace as well as being able to absorb pressure.