Yafai can fly high in the States if he takes care of Israel first
DEONTAY WILDER admits even he is afraid of the transformation into his ‘Bronze Bomber’ alter ego.
The WBC heavyweight world champion will switch from affable giant to stone-cold killer as he prepares to defend his title against Tyson Fury next Saturday.
And the 6ft 7in wrecking machine fears the ferocity of his own fists as he sets his sights on making the Brit his 40th KO victim.
Wilder said: “When my mind transforms it is a scary feeling because it is a source of power that takes over. If I say I want to KAL YAFAI defends his WBA super flyweight title for the fourth time in Monaco. Now is the time to make hay.
The eldest of the three Yafai brothers, Kal is not in first bloom. He’s 29, which is getting on a bit for the lighter weights, though as a counter puncher the miles on the clock are not as telling.
Like Gamal and Galal after him, he enjoyed a world-class amateur career before turning pro. A European silver medalist and an Olympian in 2008 at Beijing, Yafai lost out to the talented Andrew Selby for a kill a man, people have a problem with it, but it’s not the first time that has been said and it won’t be the last and it definitely isn’t the worst thing that has been said.
“People have a problem because I possess the power to do it. When I have a feeling come over me, I don’t know the extent of my own power – it’s unexplainable.
“I am already transforming now and on the week of the fight it just takes hold, especially the day of the fight.
“I’m no longer myself, nothing is funny, everything is serious, my fiancee would say I’m on my man period, which could be so. Everything irritates place on the London team. At 5ft 4in, he is quite tall for the division. He is strong with a big punch and is clever on the counter.
His opponent, Israel Gonzalez is just 22. He lost his first world-title shot to the dangerous IBF champion Jerwin Ancajas and has only one other defeat, a six-rounder to Argi Cortes.
Gonzalez, like most Mexicans, likes to have a go. Though tall and rangy at 5ft 6in, his style is perfect for Yafai, who is looking to make a statement at this me, I don’t have an appetite and when it is time to fight, I’m no longer myself. That’s why I can unleash the energy.
“The ring is a place where you can release everything you have been going through. There is good and bad – sometimes releasing it doesn’t have to be negative, it can be positive too.
“I’ve got a blessed life with my family and my children so I can release the happiness and joy that I have. You are not going to take what we eat, this is my opportunity, this is my moment, my karma.”
Wilder slips on a mask (above) for his ring walk as part of his dramatic transformation – and he will show off a new be had. WBC champion Wisaksil Wangek would be amazing.
As would a bout with Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, who fought Wangek to a standstill in the fight of the night at Madison Square Garden on the Gennady Golovkin/ Daniel Jacobs bill.
I’d be surprised if Yafai doesn’t get Gonzales out of there in the last third of the fight. He needs to win big then start calling out the other champions. He has the tools. He bangs hard with the right hand and has a really good left hook, arguably his best punch. Yafai has 15 KOs in 24 bouts. It gets harder to finish opponents early the higher up the food chain you go, so he knows it might go to the cards as three of his four defences have. But Yafai has the talent to get the job done and set up a grand finale to a fine career. Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym @CyclonePromo