The bout for the WBC Flyweight Interim World Title got a lot of attention, mainly because of the family rivalry between the fighters. Edwards came into the fight with an impressive 20-fight unbeaten run. He had been a world champion and defended his title four times. His only previous loss was a knockout against Jesse Rodriguez.
Yafai, on the other hand, brought his Olympic success to the pro ranks. He had won 8 fights, with 6 of them ending in stoppages. His Olympic gold medal win had set high expectations for his professional career.
From the first bell, Yafai put Edwards under pressure. The fight quickly turned into a one-sided affair. In the second round, Edwards made a startling admission to his trainer, Chris Williams.
"Do you want me to be real, Chris? I don't want to be here man."
This surprising statement was caught on camera and later shared by @MatchroomBoxing on Twitter with the hashtag #EdwardsYafai.
The fight continued with Yafai dominating. In the sixth round, after a flurry of unanswered punches from Yafai, the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
After the loss, Edwards made another unexpected move. He announced his retirement from boxing. He explained his decision:
"If I'm perfectly, perfectly honest, win, lose draw – and my team know this – I was retiring tonight. I don't have the same energy that I had for the sport and for the process. I'll be perfectly real, I put so much into the first six, seven years of my career that I just needed a break."
Edwards ends his career with an impressive record. He was a national champion as an amateur and won 21 out of 23 fights as a professional. His career included a world title and multiple successful defenses.
The fight marked a significant moment for both boxers. For Yafai, it was a big step forward in his professional career. For Edwards, it was the end of a successful run in the sport.