Kal Yafai vs. Sho Ishida joins Joshua-Pulev

The October 28th Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev card in Cardiff has acquired the first member of its supporting cast: the WBA-mandated super flyweight fight between champion Kal Yafai and unbeaten challenger Sho Ishida. The sanctioning body originally ordered negotiations to begin in June.

Yafai (22-0, 14 KO), who stands alongside Jerwin Ancajas as one of the division’s biggest players not competing this Saturday, will be making his second title defense. He originally won the title from Luis Concepcion, who suffered an upset decision loss to Iran Diaz this past weekend, and overcame his own excessive dick punching to take a decision over Suguru Muranaka in May. Ishida (24-0, 13 KO) stands 5’8” to Yafai’s 5’4”, but is arguably even less tested than Yafai was when he took on Concepcion.

Yafai, speaking to ESPN, is already looking at unification options with the Superfly winners. He’ll have to impress in Wales first.