Everyone always wonders what it’s like to be a professional boxer. From watching fights on TV with the family, to even watching movies about boxing go down as some of the most iconic moments in history, the wonderful world of boxing seems to be filled with nothing but big crowds and cool entry music. We’ll never truly know what it takes to become a boxer but we know there’s a lot more to it than most realise. Through years of training and competing, British fly-weight boxer Galal Yafai has seen and done it all, and we were lucky enough to sit down with him to dig into what it really takes to become a world-class fighter.
Was it frustrating when the games were postponed after you qualified and how did it affect you?
Yeah, it was frustrating because I waited for four years to then be told that I’m going to have to wait another year. But I’ve been training hard for next year and hopefully, it will pan out.
What have you been up to this past year? How has lockdown changed you if at all?
I think it’s just put things into perspective really. I had a good break during the lockdown and then I just got back on it really. I had a lot of time to think and I just tried to better myself mentally and physically- hopefully, it will show in the Olympic Games.
You’re heading back to your hometown to volunteer at 5UP Gym in Handsworth; has volunteering and giving back to the community always been important to you?
I’ve been volunteering with kids from the local school as I feel like volunteers are really important as I’ve been to the Commonwealth and Olympic Games before. As I’m a Birmingham boy, to have people from Birmingham that can be so close to doing what I’m doing is a great thing. The main thing is to get more Brummies to volunteer!
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to pursue a career in boxing?
I think it’s a great sport to get involved in; it helped me out and to be able to represent my country is a great bonus. It’s a good thing to start out by trying your best and give it your all.
How much training is needed to prepare for a major fight?
Well, it’s been years of practising and training but for each fight, I’d say possibly 6-7 weeks to prepare and get my body ready.
Do you have a boxing idol?
I’d say my boxing idols are probably my two older brothers because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have got involved in boxing.
If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?
I’d have to say a bull as it’s the mascot for Birmingham in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Bulls are really associated with Birmingham because bulls are very strong, and I think I’m quite strong myself.
Galal was speaking at the launch of the volunteering applications for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Apply now to volunteer and become part of the ‘Commonwealth Collective’ at https://www.birmingham2022.com/
