Anthony Yarde put in an incredible performance and showed immense heart against Artur Beterbiev, but it just wasn’t enough as ‘The Beast’ continued his run of knockout victories.
The fight was a back and forth encounter with both men landing thudding blows which forced the other to take a step back.
It was a hard fight to score as it developed into a pattern of Yarde doing the better work early with Beterbiev ending the round on top, usually with the eye catching shots.
In what was a surprise to to some, the official scorecards revealed that Beterbiev was behind on two and only ahead on one going into the 8th round.
Wow. Beterbiev was down two rounds at the time of the stoppage. Not sure about that. pic.twitter.com/fDa1ICBIwI
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 28, 2023
In the end the scorecards weren’t required. It was a brutal fight with both men trading heavy blows and suffering cuts and swelling around the eyes.
We may have our 2023 Fight of the Year already π€―π₯ #BeterbievYardepic.twitter.com/yXPbPmqDn6
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 28, 2023
After a nip and tuck affair, in the eight round Beterbiev caught Yarde coming in with a short right hook and followed up with another to put the challenger down.
Yarde spoke to his corner briefly after the count, and Tunde Ajayi pulled his man out quickly after the action restarted.
πΊπ¬π΅πΊπ¨π»π°πΆπ΅π¨π³ π
The moment it was all over. Artur Beterbiev stops Anthony Yarde π₯π #BeterbievYarde | BT Sport 1 pic.twitter.com/uKMzpXSX3J
— Boxing on BT Sport π₯ (@BTSportBoxing) January 28, 2023
Beterbeiv had kind words for his oppoent after the fight and stated his desire for an undisputed clash against Bivol:
βHe’s young. I just turned pro at 28, he has time and I hope he does well in the future.
I want Bivol! In this fight we have four belts, it’s a really good fight.β
'I hope one day to be a good boxer' π
Artur Beterbiev is in high spirits after a Fight of the Year contender with Anthony Yarde π₯#BeterbievYarde#Boxingpic.twitter.com/Hl1m4VKmLq
— Boxing on BT Sport π₯ (@BTSportBoxing) January 28, 2023