By Barry Holbrook: Promoter Frank Warren believes the route to victory for Anthony Yarde on Saturday is to set a fast pace from the opening bell to wear down IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev to take advantage of his age.
Warren points out that Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) is 38, and he feels that if Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs) can set a fast pace, he has an “excellent” chance of winning.
It would be similar to how a young Ricky Hatton took advantage of the age of Kostya Tszyu when he fought him in 2005. Hatton set a mercurial pace that eventually wore Tszyu out, resulting in a stoppage victory.
Yarde isn’t the same type of talent as Hatton was back then, but he does possess the hand speed, power & youth that could give Beterbiev fits.
“It’s a massive opportunity for Anthony. He’s in with a guy that has the most perfect record as a champion in boxing,” said promoter Frank Warren to talkSPORT Boxing about his fighter Anthony Yarde, who will be taking a big step up in class this Saturday against Artur Beterbiev.
“My guy is a big puncher too. This is a tough, tough fight. The bookies have got him as a big underdog. I do fancy if he can keep his composure, if he can keep his hands up if he can get behind the jab and not look for the big shot and loading himself up and letting it come and flow.
“Make the pace fast. This guy is 38 years of age. He’s a young 38, by the way, but if he can fight at a good pace, he’s got an excellent chance. This is all about the chance. He’s the mandatory, and we’ve made it happen for him in his hometown,” said Warren.
“I like him as a person and as a fighter,” said Simon Jordan about Yarde. “I think that sort of step out of direction when he fought Lyndon Arthur the first time during lockdown was very quickly righted when he came back in the second fight and was like a hurricane and blew him away.
“When this fight was originally going to be made, I think Frank was going to make it in October. I was really excited about it because I think it’s a good fight. I look at Beterbiev. Callum Johnson knocked him down.
“I think he can get hit. Whilst I think he’s a formidable champion, I think Anthony Yarde has a very, very, very good chance. I’m not saying it’s easy. I read the article that Frank wrote early on in the week, and his views are quite similar to mine, and mine is probably based upon his.
“There’s a chance for Anthony. He’s got to fight a very good fight, and he’s got to be at his very best. He’ll be prepared from the Kovalev experience. It will be incredibly useful for him, because part of that was a little bit of belief and a little bit of fitness,” said Jordan.
“I hope it’ll be good. It’ll make him more at home, and obviously, the crowd will be behind him,” said Warren when asked how significant it’ll be for Yarde to be fighting at home in London.
“Spencer is a former fighter. I’m sure he can tell you. Everyone prefers to fight at home,” said Warren.