News

Anthony Yarde Knocks Out Koykov – Date And Location Confirmed For Beterbiev

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 19th November 2022.

Anthony Yarde

Anthony Yarde cruised to victory via third round knockout over a levels-below opponent in Stefani Koykov, ticking the last box necessary to make his light-heavyweight title challenge against Artur Beterbiev official.

Koykov entered the ring on the BT Sport broadcast show with a record of 14 wins from 15 fights, including 12 knockouts. For his part, he came to fight and didn’t run.

Whilst the away fighter landed some punches, Yarde simply couldn’t miss with his sweeping shots, whether it be to head or body – the latter doing most of the work to slow the Bulgarian down as early as the second round.

Yarde showed some good head movement and the pressure that he’s known for. Fans got to see the power punches that make ‘The Beast From The East’s fights so exciting, but he never really had to come out of second gear.

The knockout itself was likely from damage done in the lead up rather than with one final blow – a few sharp hooks to body and head had Koykov ready to go, and he did just that when a short right uppercut caught the Bulgarian light-heavy coming in.

Yarde now steams ahead into his second world title shot, the first being an unsuccessful but valiant attempt in Russia against Sergey Kovalev.

He will face Kovalev’s countryman, Artur Beterbiev, on January 28 in London – as officially confirmed by promoter, George Warren. Fans will be pleased to hear that the announcement doesn’t mention Box Office.

“It’s signed, sealed, delivered. It is 100% on. Co-promotion with Top Rank, can’t wait for it … January the 28th, OVO Arena, Wembley – the old Wembley Arena as they call it – in London, live on BT Sport. Artur Beterbiev coming over and defending his unified titles against Anthony Yarde, the mandatory challenger with the WBO. Our man is gonna do the business.”

Beterbiev has 18 wins with as many knockouts and will go into that title defence as favourite. He holds the IBF, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles – the final WBA belt being firmly in the hands of Dmitry Bivol.

Whilst tonight’s result will have satisfied fans in the arena, it’s unlikely to have provided much preparation for a man of Beterbiev’s raw power and talent.

That will not deter Yarde though, who, alongside trainer Tunde Ajayi, boasts the confidence of ten men. They’ll have to put in a performance of a lifetime. Lions in the camp is one thing, but Yarde will be in the ring with a grizzly bear.