Yafai's journey in boxing started early. He had been sparring with his brothers since he was eight or nine years old. His competitive career began at 18, but he felt experienced due to numerous fights with his siblings. He trains at Great Britain's national training base for boxing at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Achievements and Awards

One of Yafai's most memorable achievements is winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. He also qualified for the Olympics in 2016 and 2020. In 2020, he was named Best Male Boxer at the GB Boxing annual awards ceremony and won Bout of the Year for his fight against Rasul Aliev.

Family Influence

Yafai comes from a family of boxers. His older brothers, Khalid and Gamal, have both boxed professionally. Khalid represented Great Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games and won the WBA super-flyweight title in 2016. Gamal won the WBC international super-bantamweight title in 2017 and the European super-bantamweight belt in December 2020.

Move to Flyweight

In 2019, Yafai moved up to the flyweight category after the light flyweight category was dropped from the 2020 Olympic programme. Initially worried about competing in a higher weight class, he adjusted well and found benefits in the new category, including being able to eat more before tournaments.

Olympic Experience

Yafai competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after quitting his job at a car factory in Solihull. Although he was eliminated in the round of 16 by Cuban boxer Joahnys Argilagos, he believes this experience will help him in future competitions, including the Tokyo Olympics.

Professional Aspirations

Yafai considered turning professional after the Rio Olympics and again after the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics. Despite starting his boxing career later than most, he has caught up quickly and aims to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics before turning professional.

Influences and Idols

Yafai looks up to US boxer Marvin Hagel as his idol. He continues to learn from his brothers and hopes to become even more decorated than them one day. Training together with Kal and Gamal has been beneficial for him, allowing him to pick up valuable skills and techniques.

Galal Yafai's journey from sparring with his brothers to competing on international stages showcases his dedication and passion for boxing. As he prepares for future competitions and considers turning professional, his achievements and experiences will undoubtedly serve him well.