ANTHONY YARDE is targeting the winner of an all-British light heavyweight bout should he come through his own on April 26.
Yarde will complete the first trilogy in his career when he and Lyndon Arthur fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the Chris Eubank-Conor Benn undercard.
After an admirable effort against Artur Beterbiev in January 2023 Yarde’s return to world level hasn’t materialised. Wins against the unheralded Jorge Silva, Marko Nikolic and Ralfs Vilcans have done little to affect his world ranking with the Londoner sitting at number two with the WBO, #4 IBF, #4 WBC and #3 WBA.
Beterbiev defends his undisputed light heavyweight title against Dmitry Bivol in a rematch five months on from fight one which went to Beterbiev. Boxing News chatted to Yarde at the Co-op Live Arena after Derek Chisora’s victory to get his prediction for the February 22 rematch.
“The first fight was like a top level chess match,” Yarde said.
“This time around if Beterbiev goes to the body I think he could get the stoppage.”
Yarde expects his third encounter with Arthur to have a “big build-up” and “good entertainment” but the 33-year-old hopes to face another British opponent in 2025.
Beterbiev and Bivol share top billing later this month in Riyadh but on the undercard there is another significant clash at 175lbs. Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith will meet in a high stakes bout with the winner going on to a possible world title shot. Buatsi and Yarde have been linked to a fight against one another for a period of time which has tested the patience of fight fans.
Asked about Buatsi-Smith, he said: “I don’t think people should overlook Smith. May the best man win.”
And does he want the winner?
“100%,” he answered.
