Cardiff, Wales won’t be host to just one world title fight on October 28, as Kal Yafai’s next title defense has been announced.
Matchroom Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn announced Yafai will defend his WBA super flyweight title against mandatory challenger Sho Ishida on the same card Anthony Joshua will be defending his world heavyweight title against Kubrat Pulev.
Yafai spoke to Fightful a couple of months ago and said at the time he had been trying to negotiate a fight with Ishida. Yafai’s hope is that once he beats Ishida, he can fight Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, who is challenging Srisaket Sor Rungvisai for the WBC super flyweight title on September 9, in a unification fight.
The card is expected to break the Principality Stadium attendance record with a potential attendance of nearly 80,000. Yafai talked to Sky Sports and said he’s excited to fight in front of a potentially record-breaking crowd.
“I can’t wait to walk out in front of that many people. Walking into the ring with your world title belt is one thing but the longer the ringwalk, the better it is for me. I will enjoy it,” Yafai said.
Yafai won the title last year when he beat Luis Concepcion via unanimous decision. Ishida, a former Japanese national super flyweight champion, will be making his first world title against a boxer whose skill level is significantly higher than Ishida’s last two opponents, who made their pro debuts against Ishida.
