British super-flyweight Kal Yafai has admitted that he can't wait to showcase his talents against a higher-standard opponent when he faces Yaqub Kareem for the Commonwealth title on Wednesday night.
Yafai has stormed through his first 10 professional encounters, winning eight by stoppage, and the Birmingham-based fighter is delighted to have been given a tougher challenge against the Nigerian, who has won 13 of his 17 matches.
The 23-year-old is quoted by World Boxing News as saying: "I'm very excited about the fight. I've been training hard and I'm in great shape, and I just want to get out there now, get the job done and grab hold of my first title belt.
"I've had enough of those fights where I am expected to win against journeymen - I had after three professional fights. You just have to go through it because I can't pick the opponents. I just get in, do the business and fight who I'm told."
Sports Mole will be providing live text commentary of Yafai's bout, along with Stephen Smith WBC silver super-featherweight clash with Mauricio Javier Munoz and featherweight Josh Warrington's Commonwealth and British title contest with Martin Lindsay.