• Bantamweight

Hearn pushing fast-learner Yafai

ESPN staff
January 20, 2013
Kal Yafai has recorded six knockouts in seven pro fights © PA Photos
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Bantamweight Kal Yafai's rapid rise in the boxing world can be sustained according to promoter Eddie Hearn, who wants to continue his fight rate of one bout every month.

Yafai won his seventh professional fight in as many months on Saturday night by winding up slowly to a fast-paced attack on Gonzalo Garcia. His method worked, as the Mexican was pulled from the ring by his camp at the end of the fourth round.

And Hearn believes that the 23-year-old could now make the undercard of fights by British boxers Kell Brook and Gavin Rees as they bid for world titles in different American cities in February.

But regardless of whether Hearn can deliver a ticket to America, he is convinced that he will not be short of opponents for Yafai and is targeting an English title tilt at some stage this year.

"It is seven fights in seven months, he is learning," Hearn said. "He was sloppy at times, which might not be a bad thing as some British bantamweights might fight him now. On that performance we might break down a few doors.

"We've got Gavin Rees fighting [Adrien] Broner in Atlantic City, Kell Brook fighting Devon Alexander in Detroit. I know he wants to be on one of those cards, so we will try and make that happen. And every man and his dog wants to fight on the Froch-Kessler card. It will be busy, busy, busy. I want to get him out every month.

"We are ready for an English title, probably in the spring."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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