Anthony Yarde steps into the ring against Artur Beterbiev for a shot at the unified lightweight titles.
It marks Yarde’s second world title attempt after suffering defeat to Sergey Kovalev in 2019, and he enters the bout as a massive underdog.
Beterbiev is unbeaten in 18 professional contests having won all of them by stoppage, and, despite being 38 years old, is fancied to retain his WBC, IBF and WBK belts in the Lion’s den at Wembley Arena.
Here are some interesting predictions from the boxing world ahead of fight night.
Ricky Hatton:
“As a British fight fan I’m very proud of the job Anthony did. He lost to Lyndon Arthur, come back, avenged it, showed he’s world class against Kovalev. He’s come back stronger and he’s improved in every department.
Beterbiev is 18 fights, 18 wins by knockout. Very explosive puncher. We’re talking pound for pound aren’t we? Real elite.
He’s a right powerhouse punching machine – and even though Anthony looks muscular, from a size point of view there’s not much in it is there?
To Anthony, if you hear this, we’re all behind you, you’ve got our full support. I just think it might be a bit of a bridge too far.
I think maybe stoppage seven or eight [for Beterbiev.] But, you know I was up against a gentleman called Kostya Tszyu and nobody thought I could do it. He was a powerhouse, and look what happened to him.”
Prediction: Beterbiev by stoppage
Dmitry Bivol
“It is a good fight, Yarde looks strong but of course Beterbiev has much more experience than Yarde. Amateur experience, he is good in professional, he is strong too. It is an interesting fight but Beterbiev has more experience and more skills.”
Prediction: Beterbiev win
Sergey Kovalev
“Anthony Yarde isn’t ready right now to fight Artur Beterbiev because he didn’t have a test like in real fights. When he fought me, I was drained of energy because I lost a lot of pounds for the light heavyweight. I should have moved up to the next division because it’s not possible to make 175, and 2019 for me was the hardest year of my boxing career.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting fight, but in my opinion, Artur will smash him. I was in trouble when I fought Anthony Yarde. I was in trouble in round number seven or eight because I was drained of my energy by losing weight. I lost more than 15 pounds for this fight. He couldn’t stop me.
I think Artur will finish him in the middle of the fight. It’s boxing. I’m interested in watching this too. In my opinion, Artur is naturally strong and mentally he has the background that is very, very big in two Olympic games, and world championship. He has big experience and mentally more older than Anthony Yarde.”
Prediction: Beterbiev by stoppage
Joe Gallagher
“It’s a great fight, really looking forward to it. Beterbiev’s a very good fighter, I don’t think Anthony Yarde’s going to show him anything he hasn’t seen before.
Father Time catches up with you – is this the fight where it catches up with Beterbiev? We’ll have to wait and see.
Anthony Yarde is a live underdog, but I just fancy Artur Beterbiev. It’s a good fight.”
Prediction: Beterbiev win
Errol Spence
“I’m rocking with Yarde.
Father Time is undefeated. I don’t care, only [a] matter [of] time he looks his age in the ring.”
Prediction: Yarde win
It seems that the boxers are on the same wavelength as the bookies, which have Beterbiev as a massive favourite going into the fight.
Read Boxing Social’s big fight preview: Beterbiev vs Yarde: How They Got Here And Where An Upset Would Rank