Team GB’s Galal Yafai reaches Olympic men’s flyweight final after thrilling split decision victory over Kazak fighter Saken Bibossinov guarantees Brummie a medal in Tokyo
Galal Yafai will fight for Olympic gold after a stunning, high-octane victory over Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibossinov in the flyweight semi-final.
The Brummie, 28, sped out of the blocks and delivered a straight left to leave his opponent with a standing count in a first round in which he took the verdict of all five judges.
After the second, he was ahead with two judges and level with three and with it all to fight for in a brutal final round he did just enough to squeeze a 3-2 verdict.
Galal Yafai (R) reached the Olympic men’s flyweight final with a split decision victory
The Brummie fighter, 28, will now fight for the gold medal in Saturday’s final in Tokyo
Yafai had clinched his place at Tokyo in the nick of time at a London qualifier which was just hours from being abandoned, with lockdown looming large.
But he is now three rounds from glory.
Yafai is from good boxing stock – two of his brothers, Kai and Gamal, are professional fighters.
He told the BBC afterwards: ‘It’s ridiculous, I can’t believe it. It’s a dream, I’ve just got one more hurdle to get over.
‘I’m fighting in front of all my family and friends, the whole world in an Olympic final and just take the gold home.
Yafai was dominant in the first round but eventually snuck the victory by split decision
‘We’re a close knit team, we have six medals now, it shows how strong GB boxing is, all the support team is – yeah it’s great.
Asked what he’d do from now until Saturday, he remained focused on the task at hand: ‘Just rest, and look forward to having fun in the final.’
Yafai will take on Carlo Paalam of the Philippines in the showpiece on Saturday.