picture courtesy of @btsportboxing Instagram
Those who tuned into the fight between unified light-heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev and the ‘Beast from the East’, Anthony Yarde on Saturday night would have been treated to an absolute spectacle. Already being hailed ‘the fight of the year’, despite being in January, the pair produced a brilliant display of power, accuracy & resilience, before the bout was drawn to a close after Anthony Yarde’s cornerman/trainer, Tunde Ajayi wished to see no more.
Labelled as the underdog, many predicted that the Londoner would be dispatched of in a comfortable manner however, that was definitely not the case. Yarde more than held his own in the ring against the much feared, Artur Beterbiev and even looked to have hurt his opponent on several occasions, cutting the Russian-Canadian underneath his left brow. 8 rounds boxing one of the hardest punchers in the sport took its toll on Anthony as well, leaving him with swelling on the face and needing stitches. It was Beterbiev who landed the most damaging blow as his right hand caught Yarde flush before a right hook sent the challenger to the canvas. Despite beating the count, Tunde Ajayi decided that it was in his fighters best interests to stop the fight. Although Yarde got beaten, his performance on the night was hugely respected and it seems quite clear that this wouldn’t be the last championship fight that he would be involved in, in the near future. But with Beterbiev looking to become undisputed champion of the light-heavyweight division in a fight against the current WBA champ, Dmitry Bivol, it seems that Anthony will have to wait until he gets another shot. So what is next for Anthony Yarde?
There have been calls already for an all British showdown against either Callum Smith or Joshua Buatsi but it is likely the pair will push for their chance at a belt before Beterbiev can face Bivol.
Joshua Buatsi is coming off the back of an impressive unanimous decision victory over Craig ‘Spider’ Richards at the 02 Arena in May of 2022 so will be keen to return to the ring as soon as he can. According to Sean Nam of ‘Boxing Scene’, Eddie Hearn is keen on his fighter (Buatsi) facing Dmitry Bivol due to being ranked #1 by World Boxing Association (WBA) rankings, but it seems likely that if Bivol does not get a shot at undisputed, a Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez rematch could be on the horizon.
Callum Smith is also coming off the back of a victory where by he won via KO in the 4th round against Mathieu Bauderlique. Since then, it has been rumoured that WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman would order the Brit to fight Artur Beterbiev next as mandatory. But after struggling against a fighter with a lot of power in his punches before, in Canelo, there is a growing concern that he would face the same fate.
Of course Joe Smith Jr is still in the conversation as one of the best light-heavyweights despite his shocking 2nd round TKO loss over Beterbiev in the Summer of 2022. But since that loss, he has had time out of the ring and has made it unclear on whether he wishes to return. With defeats to current champions, Bivol and Beterbiev, it is hard to see Smith Jr reaching the pinnacle of Boxing again.
So with the top light-heavyweights seemingly having their next opponent lined up, it seems difficult for Anthony Yarde to get back in the ring for a championship title for now. With Callum Smith potentially fighting Artur Beterbiev and Joshua Buatsi potentially facing Dmitry Bivol, Yarde may look to someone who he will see as beatable, to keep himself warm for a future bout for a belt. But if these rumoured mandatories do not go ahead, it seems very possible that Yarde could face either Buatsi or Smith soon. Some would say it is too much of a risk getting back in the ring with a top level boxer straight after losing a championship bout but it remains clear that Anthony retains his confidence in skill, despite not being victorious and would jump at a chance of another huge PPV event.
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