By Scott Gilfoid: Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says Anthony Yarde (18-0, 17 KOs) has agreed to terms to fight WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 KOs) in Russia in June or July, according to Boxing Social. The exact date of the fight will be determined later by the two teams, says Arum. Additionally, the fight will be shown on ESPN.
You’ve got to give Yarde, 27, a lot of credit for taking the fight against the more experienced Kovalev. Many boxing fans thought Yarde for sure would high tail the opposite way rather than take this risky fight. Nevertheless, the fight still isn’t officially a done deal. Arum is saying the terms are agreed on, but until it’s official anything can happen. The fans are going to be skeptical until the fight contracts are signed and the announcement is made. As long as Yarde doesn’t get injured or something and pull out of the fight, we could see a nice little fight. Most boxing don’t expect Yarde to last long against a puncher like Kovalev.
“Right now the plans are to have the fight in Russia. Frank [Warren] and Yarde have already agreed to terms,” Arum said to Boxing social about the Kovalev vs. Yarde fight. “We’re getting an appropriated date in June or July for the fight, but everything is a go.”
It would be interesting to know how Kovalev’s management were able to get Yarde and his promoter to agree to come over to Russia for the fight.
“An announcement will be made shortly,” Arum said. “This is my understanding, yes [that fight will take place in Russia]. I met with Kovalev’s manager Egis Klimas, and he told me Yarde had already agreed to terms. I don’t know Yarde from anybody, but Frank told me he’s a very confident fighter, an African kid, very strong, and it’ll be a great fight with Kovalev. I’ve never seen him fight,” Arum said.
This is tremendous news for Yarde’s boxing fans and detractors. The rest of the world won’t be impressed with this fight for Kovalev, because Yarde has never fought anyone remotely good during his short four year pro career. For example, Yarde’s last six opponents have come against this unknown bunch:
– Walter Gabriel Sequeira
– Travis Reeves
– Dariusz Sek
– Nikola Sjekloca
– Tony Averlant
– Norbert Nemesapati
As one can see, those aren’t world class fighters, and that’s OK. But, for a fighter ranked #1 with the WBO, Yarde should have better resume than leading up to a world title fight.
