Jason Cunningham says beating Kal Yafai would be a 'life-changer'
Wednesday 14 October 2015 16:56, UK
Jason Cunningham has dubbed Saturday's British super-flyweight title clash with Kal Yafai in Birmingham as "potentially life-changing."
The Doncaster Commonwealth bantamweight champion is fighting for the the vacant British super-flyweight belt in Yafai's backyard at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, live on Sky Sports 1.
Cunningham (17-2-KO6) might be a clear underdog but believes with no pressure he will be coming out of Yafai's backyard victorious and end a big year in style.
"I've had a busy year which has been almost non-stop and it has set me in really good stead," he said.
"My weight is down and I've had a good camp, both at home and in Marbella at the MGM, where I sparred with the likes of Charlie Edwards and Jamie Conlan.
It's not just the Lonsdale belt on the line, but he's world ranked, so if I win, everything he's got will be mine.
"Yafai did an interview a few weeks ago, where he said he'd get rid of me in four rounds, which made me laugh, as he's definitely underestimating me. It was probably a bit of bravado and all for show in front of the camera, as he was quite respectful in the hotel in Leeds.
"It's massive for me, potentially life-changing in fact, as it's not just the Lonsdale belt on the line, but he's world ranked, so if I win, everything he's got will be mine. I'm so excited, but at the same time, I've never been more relaxed ahead of a fight, as I'm the underdog and there's no pressure on me."
Cunningham says Yafai could be in for a big wake-up call on Saturday and claims super-fly is his best weight, even though he has campaigned at bantam, where he still holds the Commonwealth title.
The 26-year-old known as 'Golden Boy', who is trained and managed by Stefy Bull, says he is ready for the big occasion and will take it all in his stride.
And it was his team that got in contact with Matchroom to organise the fight in the first place, showing how confident he is going into Saturday's meeting.
"I have no worries about the weight, super-fly has always been right for me. I won my ABA title and first pro belt at the weight, but we had to take the chance and go up to bantamweight for the Commonwealth title, as you don't miss those opportunities.
"I'd been called by the board twice as mandatory to the English super-fly title when Anthony Nelson had it, before he ducked me twice, so I'm more than comfortable.
"We heard Paul Butler wasn't taking the fight with Yafai, so I had a chat with Stefy and we got in contact with Matchroom to make it happen. People haven't been told that it was us that suggested the fight in the first place."
