Yafai vs Muranaka: Kal Yafai is dreaming of a unification fight against Roman Gonzalez

By James Dielhenn

Kal Yafai hopes to lure divisional great Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez into becoming the latest renowned champion to box in the UK.

WBA super-flyweight title-holder Yafai (21-0) puts his belt on the line in Birmingham against Suguru Muranaka on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, but his dream fight is against the highly-touted Gonzalez.

Everyone knows [Roman Gonzalez] as 'the little one that's really good'. That's the only fight, the only name, I really want.
Kal Yafai

"Everyone knows him as 'the little one that's really good'. That's the only fight, the only name, I really want," Yafai exclusively told Sky Sports.

"He's a high-profile name and is the best fight for me."

Image: Roman Gonzalez (left) during his shock loss to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai

Nicaragua's Gonzalez (46-1) has won world titles in four weight divisions, most recently super-flyweight, but his pound-for-pound supremacy and unbeaten record took a setback with the surprise concession of his WBC belt to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in March.

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"He's got a rematch with the guy who beat him but I expect him to clearly win this time," Yafai said. "Then, hopefully a fight [against me] can be made.

"That's the only person for me. He's a massive name and, if he can win his next fight, it would be a huge WBC-WBA unification with a lot of money at the table."

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Image: Kal Yafai (right) beat Luis Concepcion to become WBA champion in December

Yafai admitted that he has admired Gonzalez from afar before becoming a world champion himself, saying: "Yes, I'm not going to deny that. I've watched him for a few years, he's a great fighter and I'd love to share a ring with him.

"I wanted to get to his level and be in that company. Now, it's all about beating these kind of guys."

Watch Kal Yafai vs Suguru Muranaka, Sam Eggington vs Ceferino Rodriguez, and Josh Kelly on this Saturday's Birmingham bill, from 7.30pm on Sky Sports 2.

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