Ricardo Sandoval

Bio

Ricardo Sandoval is the unified WBC and WBA flyweight champion of the world, a rangy, hard-punching Mexican-American out of California with 27 wins and 18 knockouts to his name. He is the kind of long, rangy flyweight who can box or bang depending on what the night demands.

Sandoval announced himself in the most emphatic way possible, travelling to Japan in 2025 to dethrone the brilliant Kenshiro Teraji. He climbed off the canvas in the fifth round to win a split decision — the sort of gut-check victory that tells you everything about a champion's heart and resolve.

He uses his height and reach superbly for the weight, fighting long, snapping the jab, and turning over heavy combinations when he sets his feet. The two early-career losses are a distant memory; this is a fighter who has improved out of sight.

Sandoval makes the first defence of his unified titles against Britain's Galal Yafai on June 6 in Sheffield, live on DAZN. The away corner against an Olympic gold medalist is a tough first defence — but this is a champion who has proven he travels well.