Artur Beterbiev will defend his unified light heavyweight titles against Anthony Yarde this week after both fighters made the weight well.
Throughout fight week, Beterbiev has complimented his opponent on a bodybuilder’s physique – and Yarde presented just that on the scales. He weighed in at 174.5lbs – as did the champion.
Yarde could be said to be looking slightly pinched around the face, but it’s not unusual and there were no other signs of a struggle to make the magic number.
π¦πππππ ππ πππ ππππ π¦@MrAnthonyYarde Weighs-in at 12 stone 6 pounds 4 ounces #BeterbievYarde | Tomorrow | Live on BT Sport 1 pic.twitter.com/QchWgdxS6V
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) January 27, 2023
β The Unified Champ is Weighed-in.
Artur Beterbiev comes in at 12 stone 6 pounds 8 ounces#BeterbievYarde | Tomorrow | Live on BT Sport 1 pic.twitter.com/GbNKyMYWRk
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) January 27, 2023
Despite being less muscular than Yarde, Beterbiev has no problem with power whatsoever, and the pair match up well with a very similar recorded height and reach.
After a steely face off, all is now set for a fight that many are saying won’t need the judges – with 40 knockouts between them, it’s unlikely to go the distance.
π π§ππ πππ‘ππ ππππ π’ππ π
Artur Beterbiev and @MrAnthonyYarde lock eyes for the final time ahead of their battle for the Unified Light-Heavyweight championship of the world π₯#BeterbievYarde | Tomorrow | Live on BT Sport 1 pic.twitter.com/F6AgXQMnwt
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) January 27, 2023
The fight is Yarde’s second shot at a world title, the first being a brave but unsuccessful attempt at Sergey Kovalev deep in the heart of Russia.
The 31-year-old continues to impress with his attitude and maturity towards these big fights, and is ignoring the odds against him to enter the ring with the confidence that he can keep the WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight belts on these shores.
Beterbiev is as he always has been – quiet, composed and ready to fight. The Russian Canadian is the only reigning world champion to have won all of his fights inside the distance, and many pundits are picking him to continue that streak come Saturday night.
At 38, though, the unified champion and decorated amateur is much closer to the end of his career than the start, and the challenger will be hoping that his age finally begins to show under the lights at Wembley Arena.
Should Beterbiev prove the bookies right, he’ll look towards an undisputed bout with Dmitry Bivol, but another Brit in Callum Smith will be demanding his shot first.
It’s by no means a given though, and even with Beterbiev’s record, Yarde and his team present a fresh challenge that they’re confident of winning. UK fans can tune in on BT Sport, while those in the US can access the fight via ESPN+.