On Saturday night, Artur Beterbiev has a chance to keep his dream of an undisputed light heavyweight fight against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol alive by defeating Anthony Yarde. His IBF, WBC & WBO 175-lb belts are on the line in this WBO mandatory fight, which will be broadcast live on ESPN+ at the OVO Arena in London, England.
Yarde is a formidable opponent, and Beterbiev knows that he can’t afford any mistakes if he wants to move forward to a fight with Bivol. Despite the fact that Yarde is seen by many as outmatched in terms of technical skills, punch resistance, stamina, and experience, he still has the power to beat anyone if he lands cleanly.
The fight between Beterbiev and Yarde has not received as much attention as the recent Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr bout, which Smith won in an unexpected upset. However, the difference between Eubank Jr, who has never won a world title, and the two-time Olympian Beterbiev is immense.
“I’m excited to fight there,” said Artur Betebiev to Boxing World Weekly. “I look at this like a new experience. I hope if I do good box.”
“It’s good. In his camp, he can be a lion,” Beterbiev said of Yarde. “I think no. It’s different when it’s mandatory fight and obligation fight,” he added when asked about a rematch clause in the contract. “This fight is under different rules, so I think no.”
“We’re always trying to be ready to do 12 rounds, and to do things we’re working on,” said Beterbiev. “We don’t know, we never know, but right now, I enjoy what I do, boxing, training, everything I do right now,” he continued when asked about when he’ll be retiring. “We watched the fight and watched several fights, but we’re not focused on how he lost or how he win. Come the 28th of January, you’ll see what I’m capable of.
