Light-heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde has revealed how the boxing world played an important part in helping him cope with the tragic personal losses he has suffered at the hands of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After losing both his father and grandmother to the virus in recent months, Yarde has received private messages of support from the boxing fraternity.
Speaking to Queensberry Promotions’ ‘Lockdown Lowdown’, Yarde said: “I got messages from a lot of people in my weight class… some that people want me to fight.”
Sympathy arrived from rival Lyndon Arthur, the 28-year-old Mancunian who was scheduled to be Yarde’s next opponent. The pair were originally supposed to clash in the co-main event of the Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce pay-per-view that was postponed due to the current situation.
“Lyndon, someone I’m meant to be fighting very soon, sent me condolences and told me to stay strong and all that kind of stuff,” said Yarde. “Even though we’re getting ready to fight each other, there’s no bad blood really.
“There might be a bit of bad blood thrown around when we get in the ring, or the build-up, but none of us wish anything traumatic like that to happen to each other.”
A positive mindset, whether in life or boxing, is what Yarde believes gives him an ability to ride out personal tragedy.
“Life can make you or break you, but what life will do to me is motivate me and help me along,” he said.
“I’m a very strong believer in God so I believe… the bad things we go through are lessons, you have to go through things that teach you and prepare you for the real world.”